When lupus affects the nervous system, it's called neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). It can show up differently in each person, and symptoms can worsen during flares.
Cognitive problems linked to lupus can include:
- Brain fog (trouble with memory, thinking, and concentration)
- Forgetting words mid-sentence
- Difficulty Show Full Answer
When lupus affects the nervous system, it's called neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). It can show up differently in each person, and symptoms can worsen during flares.
Cognitive problems linked to lupus can include:
- Brain fog (trouble with memory, thinking, and concentration)
- Forgetting words mid-sentence
- Difficulty spelling
- Slowed thinking and processing speed
- Problems with working memory and attention
These symptoms can be made worse by other lupus-related factors like chronic pain, poor sleep, depression, anxiety, and even some medications like gabapentin. Seizures are one of the more serious complications of NPSLE, affecting roughly 2–8% of people with lupus — and more often in those with known nervous system involvement.
Other serious neurological symptoms to be aware of include:
- Stroke
- Psychosis (losing touch with reality)
- Severe memory or thinking problems (estimated to affect 3–5% of people with lupus)
These more serious symptoms need prompt medical attention, so don't hesitate to contact your healthcare team if anything feels off or is getting worse.
October 15
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