Neurologic Complications of Endocrine Disorders

This article reviews the neurologic manifestations of endocrine disorders with respect to pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

Studies have further elucidated the mechanisms by which endocrine disorders affect neurologic function, from peripheral nervous system manifestations of diabetes to central nervous system complications of pituitary apoplexy. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists used to treat obesity and diabetes are associated with an increased risk of developing diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy and common peroneal neuropathy.

Neurologic complications of endocrine disorders are diverse and may arise before systemic manifestations. Therefore, neurologists should consider endocrine diseases in the differential diagnosis of syndromes such as altered mental status, coma, peripheral neuropathy, and myopathy, and be familiar with the appropriate evaluation for these disorders.