[Isolated memory disorders disclosing antiphospholipid antibody syndrome]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 1992;148(10):635-7.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Most of the neurological complications of the antiphospholipid syndrome are consequences of arterial or venous cerebral thromboses. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman presenting with the main signs of antiphospholipid syndrome: Raynaud's phenomenon, livedo, leg ulcers, repeated miscarriages, presence of a circulating anticoagulant and of antiphospholipid antibodies, who developed an isolated amnestic syndrome with a peculiar pattern; 1) almost complete sparing of the ability to learn new skills and of short-term recall; 2) deterioration, followed by disappearance of recent memories after a sufficient delay; 3) progressive alteration of increasingly old memories including knowledge memory suggested a gradual alteration of mnestic traces. The lack of neuroradiological signs of multiple infarcts suggests a direct intervention of antibodies in this patient's memorisation mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / isolation & purification
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Memory Disorders / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid