Antiphospholipid antibodies

Lupus anticoagulants and anticardiolipin antibodies, known collectively as antiphospholipid antibodies, are becoming established as markers for increased risk of thrombosis, including ischemic cerebrovascular disease. In this brief review, we highlight evidence for and against a pathogenetic role of these antibodies in ischemic brain disease and comment on currently available laboratory studies to detect them. Future research on the association of antiphospholipid antibodies with neurological disease should focus on establishing the pathogenicity of these antibodies, identifying groups at high risk for recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular events, and initiating prospective multicenter natural history and treatment protocols.