Antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy: Neuro-psychiatric aspects

Abstract

Nonvascular neurological manifestations of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLAbs) are emerging and, among these, several neuropsychiatric shymptoms. Psychiatric diseases are gradually being considered as organic illnesses of the brain. The role of blood-brain barrier regulation is under scrutiny, and increased permeability is thought to play a precipitating role. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are suspected of being secondary to direct binding and the effect of aPLAbs on neurons and glial cells once the permeability of the blood-brain barrier has been altered. Placental diseases, sometimes mediated by aPLAbs, are risk factors for schizophrenia in the offspring, and babies born from women with aPLAbs can develop learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Women with APS more often develop mood disorders as time goes by, and diffusion tensor imaging has evidenced subtle changes in their white matter. More data are urgently needed and the therapeutic management remains to be properly planned.