Neuropsychological deficits associated with antiphospholipid antibodies

Neurologic events associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPAs) includ e transient ischemic attack, stroke, and vascular dementia in individuals m uch younger than is typically observed with these disorders. The present st udy evaluated 27 non-elderly adults with aPAs but without concurrent diseas e processes or history of neurologic event and 27 age and education-matched controls. MANOVA (p < .01) indicated group differences in executive functi oning, verbal learning and memory, and visuospatial ability. Zn contrast, g ross attentional processes and fine motor skills appeared unaffected by the syndrome. Moreover, the frequency of impaired neuropsychologic performance was greater among individuals with aPAs than among controls (p < .01). The presence of cognitive deficits in otherwise asymptomatic patients with aPA s indicates a preclinical phase of neurologic involvement and may prove to be the most sensitive markers of the syndrome.