title: Neurological complications of infliximab.
abstract: The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) therapies has led to improved outcomes in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the use of these new therapeutic agents requires careful monitoring for adverse effects. We describe 3 patients who developed neurological disease closely associated with the use of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inactivates TNF-a. All had evidence of polyneuropathy, demyelinating in one and axonal in 2. One patient had a central nervous system syndrome. Physicians should be aware of these potential adverse effects when treating patients with infliximab.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4NI.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jarand
authors.forename: Douglas W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Zochodne
authors.forename: Liam O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Voll
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008875:Middle Aged; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab