title: Antiphospholipid syndrome: role of antiphospholipid antibodies in neurology.
abstract: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are acquired antibodies against anionic phospholipid containing moieties in cell membranes. Their presence often is associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an acquired autoimmune prothrombotic syndrome associated with thrombosis in the arterial and venous circulations, recurrent unexplained fetal loss, and thrombocytopenia. The association of aPLs with other nonthrombotic neurological disorders remains of unclear significance. This article reviews the definition of APS, its clinical presentations, and therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South First Avenue, 2700 McGuire, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. rdafer@lumc.edu
authors.forename: Rima M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dafer
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*