Abstract
A 53-year-old woman with a history of psoriasis presented with severe cutaneous lesions associated with psoriasis. The woman was mentally handicapped; she was able to converse monosyllabically with her mother only and was very limited in social interactions. After preliminary investigations, a biological treatment was proposed. Etanercept was started in October 2006. The patient responded rapidly and, after 3 months, achieved a 75% improvement in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 75) score. Most notable, however, was that she began interacting with other people, even if they were not familiar to her. Subsequent cutaneous relapses were treated successfully with etanercept. Very few articles regarding etanercept and neurological or psychiatric problems are present in the literature. According to recent studies, etanercept could improve verbal fluency and cognitive and behavioural functions in Alzheimer’s disease, so that we can suggest a potential role and use in neurological disorders.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tobinick EL, Gross H. Rapid improvement in verbal fluency and aphasia following perispinal etanercept in Alzheimer’s disease. BMC Neurol 2008; 2: 27 (NOT 2: 27)
Tobinick EL, Gross H. Rapid cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s disease following perispinal etanercept administration. J Neuroinflammation 2008; 9: 2 5: 2 (NOT 9: 2)
Di Nuzzo S, Zanni M, De Panfilis G. Exacerbation of paranoid schizophrenia in a psoriatic patient after treatment with cyclosporin A, but not with etanercept. J Drugs Dermatol 2007; 6: 1046–7
Krishnan R, Cella D, Leonardi C, et al. Effects of etanercept therapy on fatigue and symptoms of depression in subjects treated for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis for up to 96 weeks. Br J Dermatol 2007; 157: 1275–7
Evers AWM, Lu Y, Duller P, et al. Common burden of chronic skin diseases? Contributors to psychological distress in adults with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 2005; 152: 1275–81
Acknowledgments
Editorial assistance for the preparation of this manuscript was provided by Stephanie Blick of inScience Communications. This assistance was funded by Pfizer. Dr Bassi received an invitation to participate in congress meetings from Wyeth. Dr Bassi reports no conflicts of interest. In 2008 Dr De Filippi worked as a consultant for a written report for Wyeth.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bassi, E., De Filippi, C. Beneficial Neurological Effects Observed in a Patient with Psoriasis Treated with Etanercept. AM J Clin Dermatol 11 (Suppl 1), 44–45 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03257173
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03257173