Neurosarcoidosis and Associated Neuropsychological Sequelae: A Rare Case Of Isolated Intracranial Involvement

Abstract

We present a case study of an individual diagnosed with isolated neurosarcoidosis, a rare granulomatous condition of unknown aetiology. Although the extant medical literature on this disease is adequate, no study has focused on the neuropsychological sequelae involved with such an inflammatory disorder. The case described herein is of a 57-year-old woman who participated in a neuropsychological evaluation following complaints of recurring cognitive difficulties. Results of the assessment revealed moderate difficulties in effortful word retrieval and recall of unstructured verbal information, as well as some mild mental rigidity, slowing, and subtle difficulties with attention. Her neuropsychological profile is discussed in terms of neuroanatomic lesion localization and clinical diagnostic implications.

Neuropsychological diagnostics of neurosarcoidosis

“…On the one hand, the detailed results of the neurological examination (quantitative and qualitative assessment of the manifestations of the disease) are not represented at functional level, because studies explore the neuropsychological manifestations of neurosarcoidosis. On the other hand, studies include the evaluation of either cognitive [4,5], or memory functions [3] in terms of their reduction, but do not include analysis of other functional systems (praxis, regulatory functions).…”

“…Incidence varies in different countries from 4 to 47 casesper 100,000 people [3][4][5][6][7][8]. The research surveys show a positive dynamics of neurosarcoidosis incidence [1].…”

“…The research surveys show a positive dynamics of neurosarcoidosis incidence [1]. Neurosarcoidosis distributes among people of all age groupsbut people at the age of 34-40 are mostly prone to the disease [3][4][5].…”

“…The research data emphasizes neurologic, ophthalmologic, endocrine dysfunctions, disorders of genitourinary tract, and other symptoms referring to clinical presentation of neurosarcoidosis [6][7][8]. The study of Ruocco & Lacy (2010) stated that thecognitive functions have declinedin case of neurosarcoidosis [5]; Beste et al (2015) examined the influence of fatigue on the cognitive functions decline as one of the key neurosarcoidosis manifestations [4]; Mariani & Shammi (2009) represented the neuropsychological analysis of qualitative-dynamic disorders of mnemonic functions in patients with neurosarcoidosis [3]. Thus, we highlight the central nervous system involvement (more precisely the cerebral cortex) into the pathological process, fragmentary or lack of information describing psychophysiological and neuropsychological manifestations in the clinical presentation of neurosarcoidosis.…”