Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia
06:24

Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia

Published on: May 18, 2010

A pernicious leucoencephalopathy

A Molloy1, N Cawley, E Ali

  • 1Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4.

Irish Medical Journal
|November 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pernicious anemia (a vitamin B12 deficiency) can cause severe neurological issues. This case shows that these deficits, including brain changes, may be reversible with treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Hematology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune condition leading to vitamin B12 malabsorption.
  • Neurological manifestations of cobalamin deficiency can be diverse and severe.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible neurological damage.

Observation:

  • A young male presented with insidious onset sensorimotor deficits, ataxia, dysarthria, cognitive decline, and mood changes.
  • Cerebral MRI revealed leucoencephalopathy, with no spinal cord involvement.
  • This specific combination of neurological symptoms and MRI findings is rarely reported.

Findings:

  • The patient's neurological symptoms and MRI-evident leucoencephalopathy showed significant improvement after treatment.
  • This indicates a potential for reversibility of neurological deficits associated with cobalamin deficiency.
  • Cobalamin deficiency can lead to widespread neurological dysfunction, including white matter changes.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering cobalamin deficiency in patients with unexplained neurological symptoms.
  • Suggests that prompt treatment can lead to recovery from neurological complications of pernicious anemia.
  • Emphasizes the need for further research into the mechanisms and extent of neurological reversibility in vitamin B12 deficiency.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Brain-infiltrating Leukocytes06:44

Isolation of Brain-infiltrating Leukocytes

Published on: June 13, 2011

A Stably Established Two-Point Injection of Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced Focal Demyelination Model in Mice04:55

A Stably Established Two-Point Injection of Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced Focal Demyelination Model in Mice

Published on: May 11, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Rabies01:28

Rabies

Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Leishmaniasis01:30

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...