Lyme Brain: How Lyme Disease Affects Neurocognitive Function

Lyme disease isn’t just about the annoying tick bites and a mysterious rash- it can also significantly impact your brain's functioning. Lyme brain can cause a range of cognitive difficulties, from memory problems to mood changes, affecting how well you think and process information.

According to ILADS President, Dr. Tom Moorcroft and the CDC an estimated 300,000 people are infected with Tick-Borne Disease annually. While most people think Lyme Disease only occurs in America, it is seen on every continent except Antarctica. 14 US states and Europe have some of the highest concentrations of Lyme and  Tick-Borne Disease in the world.  Lyme Disease is correlated with a variety of physical illnesses including, Autism, PANS/PANDAS, Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis. For example, census data from 1990 to 1990 demonstrates that death rates from MS and rates of diagnosed cases of Lyme virtually identically overlap.

The Lyme Brain and How it Affects Neurocognitive Function

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through tick bites, is often recognized for its physical symptoms such as rashes, stiff neck, and joint and muscle pain. However, its impact on neurocognitive function and brain changes is less well-known but equally significant, often leading to severe neurological complications. Here’s how Lyme disease can affect cognitive abilities and mental health:

1. Cognitive Impairment and Brain Fog

Lyme disease can lead to cognitive issues often referred to as “Lyme brain.” This may include:

• Memory Problems: Difficulty with short-term and long-term memory.
• Concentration Issues: Trouble focusing on tasks or maintaining attention.
• Slowed Thinking: A general sense of mental sluggishness or processing delays.

2. Mood Changes

Individuals with Lyme disease may experience mood disturbances such as:

• Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
• Anxiety: Increased levels of worry or nervousness.
• Irritability: Unexplained bouts of anger or frustration.

3. Executive Function Difficulties

The disease can affect executive functions, which are essential for planning and decision-making:

• Impaired Judgment: Difficulty in making sound decisions or evaluating situations.
• Organizational Challenges: Struggles with organizing tasks or managing time effectively.
• Problem-Solving Issues: Reduced ability to solve problems or think critically.

4. Neurological Complications

Chronic Lyme disease, also known as neurologic Lyme disease, can lead to more severe neurological issues, including:

• Peripheral Neuropathy: Tingling or numbness in the limbs.
• Brain Fog: A general feeling of confusion or disorientation.

5. Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances

Lyme disease often leads to profound fatigue and sleep problems, which can exacerbate cognitive difficulties:

• Chronic Fatigue: Persistent tiredness that affects daily functioning.
• Sleep Disorders: Problems such as insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.

Managing Neurocognitive Effects

Addressing the neurocognitive impacts of Lyme disease involves a multifaceted approach:

• Medical Treatment: Following a treatment plan prescribed by a healthcare provider, including antibiotics if appropriate.
• Cognitive Therapy: Engaging in therapies designed to improve cognitive function and coping strategies.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Incorporating regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques to support overall brain health.

Understanding how Lyme disease affects neurocognitive function is crucial for managing its broader impact on daily life. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seeking medical advice and support is essential for effective management and recovery.

How Do You Diagnose Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease?

Lyme and tick-borne disease are complex diseases that produce physical, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms that present differently in each patient. One person may experience severe headache and joint pain, and another may have brain fog and anxiety. Yet, they both have a Tick-Borne illness.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease can include swollen lymph nodes, which are often accompanied by fever and other flu-like symptoms.

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). It is usually transmitted by the bite of an infected tick, but many also believe spiders and other biting insects can pass it on. Most people are shocked to learn that the bacteria can also be passed through the placenta of a pregnant woman to the fetus, which is referred to as congenital Lyme. Research from Schlesinger et al. (1985) denotes poor treatment outcomes for those with congenital Lyme.

Tick-borne disease symptoms may be acute, or they can wax and wane in a more long-term, chronic manner. Some symptoms appear immediately after a tick bite, but sometimes weeks, months or years pass before the disease presents, making diagnosis and treatment even more complex. This waxing and waning of symptoms is confusing, leading to uncertainty regarding the underlying cause. This makes one wonder if the tick bite or Lyme Disease one had months ago could be related to current symptoms.

Functional MRI (fMRI) is a powerful tool used to visualize brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow, providing valuable insights into how various cognitive and emotional processes are affected by conditions such as Lyme disease.

Even with a sudden onset of symptoms, individuals may not get the proper treatment they need due to a misdiagnosis.  The reality is that most traditional, allopathic, physicians lack proper training in identifying and treating the normal tick bite. Many believe that there still has to be a tick bite bullseye rash. However, the tick bite bullseye rash is  is present only 12 to 42 percent of the time.

How Do You Treat Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease?

Access to proper tick bite treatment can often be hindered because there the medical community disagrees about how to identify those with Lyme Disease. Moreover, no perfect measures of identification exist.  Lacking good measures for Lyme Disease, which has been readily accepted for decades, is compounded by lacking measures for the dozens of co-infections.

Most people with Lyme disease respond well to antibiotic treatment, which can lead to full recovery if administered early.

Diagnosis guidelines do not require positive blood work, yet many physicians erroneously use findings from the CDC epidemiology study submission guidelines for diagnosis. Thus, patients are often forced to pay out of pocket for the best diagnostic and research tools available, which are through private lab companies.

Relying on incorrect guidelines means patients are told they must have 5 out of 10 bands to be diagnosed with Lyme. This creates a major barrier to quick and necessary tick bite treatment. Only clinical opinion after a physical exam is required to make a diagnosis of Lyme.

Are There Other Kinds of Tick-Borne Diseases?

Yes. While most people automatically think about Lyme Disease, they need to remember ticks carry multiple infections at the same time.

Symptoms of tick-borne diseases can include muscle aches, which often appear alongside other flu-like symptoms.

One common infectious disease that ticks carry is Babesia, a parasite that infects red blood cells and presents like malaria. It is difficult to detect, and symptoms can be mild. For example the, most common physical symptom is sweating. Babesia can lead to serious illness and when present with a co-infection, it can increase the severity of Lyme disease. Babesia is well known to be associated with neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

One teen patient experienced a sudden onset of anxiety for several years. The anxiety was so severe she she was unable to leave her home. Although she had all the telltale signs of tick-borne infection, specifically Babesia. Although other doctors missed this, in our first session I identified her as having Tick-Borne Disease

The QEEG brain map clearly showed the illness that the long list of physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists three year period had missed. That led to never being treated properly., She could then be referred to a Lyme physician for proper treatment. Sadly, this teen had a clear-cut case of Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Disease, but was never identified early and treated with antibiotics. This is an all too familiar story that leads to a case of Late-Disseminated Lyme, and more importantly, a lot of suffering and heartache.

What Neurocognitive & Neuropsychiatric Conditions Result from Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease?

Neurocognitive and Neuropsychiatric tick-borne disease symptoms can emerge either early or late in the disseminated phase of infection.  In untreated Lyme Disease, the encephalopathy can be moderate to severe, and can wreak havoc on an individual’s life.  Unfortunately, the average person sees 5 to 7 doctors before they are correctly diagnosed (Bransfield, (2014). Lyme Connection: Leir Center Presentation).In one common scenario,  an individual is certain they have Lyme and go to their physician.

The doctor then tells them they don’t have it or don’t meet the clinical criteria. Unless one takes control of their own medical care or sees a Lyme specialist, they may find themselves thinking they just have a psychiatric issue without a medical source. Individuals often go down this road only to find that they don’t get much relief this way either.

Bransfield (2007) and Weintraub (2009) note there are hundreds of peer-reviewed articles address a causal association between Lyme Disease and mental symptoms. Fallon and Neilds (1994) note that 40% of patients with Lyme Disease develop neurologic involvement of either peripheral or central nervous system. The range of neurocognitive, neuropsychiatric and physical symptoms is wide.

Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)

Even after completing treatment for Lyme disease, some individuals may continue to experience symptoms, a condition known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). PTLDS can involve lasting neurological effects, including issues related to the brain and spinal cord. This can include persistent fatigue, muscle and joint pain, cognitive difficulties, and mood changes. 

The exact cause of PTLDS remains unclear, but it may involve residual inflammation, an autoimmune response, or lasting neurological effects. Managing PTLDS typically involves ongoing medical follow-up, symptom management, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments to support overall well-being. If symptoms persist, consulting with a healthcare provider is essential for appropriate care and support.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease

Clearly, Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses can have a significant impact on mental health. Research has found that individuals with Lyme disease may experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Research conducted by clinical researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has identified measurable brain abnormalities in Lyme disease patients, challenging the notion that cognitive symptoms are purely psychosomatic. 

Just the stress of living with a chronic illness and the uncertainty of its course can take a toll on mental health. Additionally, the physical symptoms of Lyme Disease, such as fatigue, pain, and difficulty sleeping, can exacerbate mental health symptoms and reduce overall quality of life.

Furthermore, the difficulty of diagnosing and treating tick-borne illnesses can also contribute to mental health challenges. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can be difficult to diagnose due to late onset symptoms, confusion with other issues, and poor provider guidance, which can lead to a delay in treatment and further exacerbate physical and mental health symptoms.

Moreover, some patients with chronic Lyme disease report difficulty finding healthcare providers who believe their symptoms are real, which can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation, and mistrust. The complex and multifaceted nature of tick-borne illnesses highlights the need for an integrated approach to treatment that addresses both physical and mental health symptoms. At our center we use neurofeedback and PEMF to support those with Lyme and PANS/PANDAS.

What is Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Prevention Important?

With Tick-Borne illness and Lyme Disease, prevention is key. Even if one already has Lyme Disease, they can get other tick-borne illnesses from another tick bite, so be sure to follow the BLAST protocol (lymeconnection.org).

The BLAST acronym – Bathe after outdoor activity Look for Ticks and rashes Apply repellent Spray the yard Treat pets

All five components are essential in preventing disease. According to WCSU professor and Lyme Connection advisor Dr. Neeta Connally, aside from applying repellant, taking a shower immediately after being outside reduces your chance of the disease by 59%.* Being mindful to avoid high tick areas and doing a tick check are also important steps.

What are Non-Invasive Treatments for Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease?

Diet, exercise and stress reduction are essential for healing Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease. The body is physiologically designed to deal with stress first and healing second, so practicing daily relaxation techniques needs to be part of one’s healing regimen.

In my office, we use a variety of brain-based techniques (Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, CALM PEMF™) to get the Central Nervous System (CNS) to calm down, which promotes self-healing.* My best advice for you or your child is to find a Lyme and PANS/PANDAS literate professional to work with so that you can get on the right path to healing.