1: J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001 Fall;13(4):500-7

A controlled study of cognitive deficits in children with chronic Lyme disease.

Tager FA, Fallon BA, Keilp J, Rissenberg M, Jones CR, Liebowitz MR.

Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, Division of Behavioral Medicine, New York, New York 10032, USA. [email protected]

Although neurologic Lyme disease is known to cause cognitive dysfunction in adults, little is known about its long-term sequelae in children. Twenty children with a history of new-onset cognitive complaints after Lyme disease were compared with 20 matched healthy control subjects. Each child was assessed with measures of cognition and psychopathology. Children with Lyme disease had significantly more cognitive and psychiatric disturbances. Cognitive deficits were still found after controlling for anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Lyme disease in children may be accompanied by long-term neuropsychiatric disturbances, resulting in psychosocial and academic impairments. Areas for further study are discussed.