What signifies neurologic involvement in SLE?

Neurologic involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can manifest in various ways, one notable symptom being psychosis. This is significant because SLE can impact the central nervous system, leading to neuropsychiatric manifestations. Psychosis in SLE patients can include symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and severe mood changes, reflecting underlying changes in brain function due to the disease.

Conversely, while cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are critical and may occur in SLE patients, they are often associated with vascular complications rather than direct neuropsychiatric involvement. Infection is a separate concern, frequently a result of immunosuppression in SLE but not a specific indicator of neurologic involvement. A facial tic does not directly indicate SLE-related neurological issues and is more likely linked to other neurological conditions or stress responses. Therefore, psychosis stands out as a distinct neuropsychiatric manifestation specifically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.