title: Acquired brain injury secondary to systemic sclerosis: a case report.
abstract: METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Systemic sclerosis is a rare and chronic autoimmune disease of the body's connective tissue that historically has not been associated with primary involvement of the central nervous system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the neuropsychological sequelae of systemic sclerosis in a 56-year-old male.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neurocognitive deficits were demonstrated by the patient on select components of memory and language as well as across measures of executive functioning. Significant depression and reduced self-concept were also identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuropsychological dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis has largely been ignored in the clinical setting. Identification of neurocognitive impairment and emotional stress can facilitate interventions that consequently may increase adherence with medical treatment and increase quality-of-life.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. sgontkovsky@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Samuel T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Gontkovsky
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012649:Self Concept