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Semin Neurol 2003; 23(2): 207-214
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41133
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Therapy of Neurological Disorders in Systemic Vasculitis

Ralf Gold1 , Adriano Fontana2 , Stephan Zierz3
  • 1Department of Neurology, Clinical Research Group for Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
  • 2Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
  • 3Department of Neurology, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
01 August 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Significant progress has been made in our understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with vasculitis. Simultaneous involvement of the nervous system and systemic organs points to shared antigenic targets or immune mechanisms operative at both sites. Although specific immunotherapy is not available, the old and new immunomodulatory therapies have been instrumental in providing effective therapy in most of these chronic autoimmune disorders. The treatment of giant cell arteritis, neurosarcoidosis, Wegener's granulomatosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and Behcet disease will be reviewed.

KEYWORDS

Autoimmunity - nervous system - therapy - vasculitis

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