Neurosarcoidosis is a manifestation of sarcoidosis in the nervous system. Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically occurs in adults between 20 and 40 years of age and primarily affects the lungs, but can also impact almost every other organ and system in the body. Neurosarcoidosis is characterized by inflammation and abnormal cell deposits in any part of the nervous system – the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. It most commonly occurs in the cranial and facial nerves, the hypothalamus (a specific area of the brain), and the pituitary gland. It is estimated to develop in 5 to 15 percent of those individuals who have sarcoidosis. Weakness of the facial muscles on one side of the face (Bell’s palsy) is a common symptom of neurosarcoidosis. The optic and auditory nerves can also become involved, causing vision and hearing impairments. It can cause headache, seizures, memory loss, hallucinations, irritability, agitation, and changes in mood and behavior. Neurosarcoidosis can appear in an acute, explosive fashion or start as a slow chronic illness. Because neurosarcoidosis manifests in many different ways, a diagnosis may be difficult and delayed.
Sarcoidosis Research Institute 3475 Central Avenue Memphis, TN 38111 yette2bpolite@bellsouth.net http://www.sarcoidosisresearch.org Tel: 901-830-4749 |
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT 06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291 |
National Eye Institute (NEI) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 31 Center Drive, Rm. 6A32 MSC 2510 Bethesda, MD 20892-2510 2020@nei.nih.gov http://www.nei.nih.gov Tel: 301-496-5248 |
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases (NIAID) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612 Bethesda, MD 20892-6612 http://www.niaid.nih.gov Tel: 301-496-5717 |
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Health Information Center P.O. Box 30105 Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 NHLBIinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov Tel: 301-592-8573/240-629-3255 (TTY) Recorded Info: 800-575-WELL (-9355) |
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Last updated April 21, 2009