Parkinsonism as a side effect of infliximab

Jakob Nørgaard Henriksen1, Bengt Oluf Mikael Eriksson2

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

BMJ Case Reports
|May 7, 2016
PubMed

Insights

A man with Crohn's disease developed parkinsonism after infliximab treatment. Symptoms improved after discontinuing the drug, suggesting a potential link between infliximab and parkinsonism.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Neurology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Infliximab is a biologic therapy used for Crohn's disease.
  • Parkinsonism is a neurological disorder characterized by movement abnormalities.

Observation:

  • A 64-year-old male with a 30-year history of Crohn's disease was treated with infliximab.
  • Within 3 days of the first infliximab dose, the patient developed a resting tremor.
  • Parkinsonism symptoms progressed over 4 months, affecting both legs and hands.

Findings:

  • Infliximab treatment was withdrawn after 4 months due to lack of efficacy and symptom development.
  • The patient experienced gradual improvement in resting tremor after infliximab discontinuation.
  • This case suggests a potential association between infliximab and the development of parkinsonism.

Implications:

  • This report highlights a rare adverse effect of infliximab, potentially parkinsonism.
  • Further investigation is warranted to understand the mechanism linking infliximab to parkinsonism.
  • Clinicians should monitor for neurological side effects in patients treated with infliximab.

Related Concept Videos

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment01:24

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
1.3K
Parkinson's Disease: Overview01:15

Parkinson's Disease: Overview

Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is...
2.3K
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
655
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
722
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...
606
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
4