The Antiphospholipid Syndrome

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) defines the clinical association between antiphospholipid antibodies and a syndrome of hypercoagulability or thrombophilia (the term of “sticky blood” is sometimes used in APS). Antiphospholipid antibodies comprise a broad family of antibodies including both lupus anticoagulants and anticardiolipin antibodies. The pathogenesis of APS remains unclear. Nevertheless, an understanding of the biology, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, and clinical manifestations of APS are important to the neurologist because the brain is commonly affected by the disease. These points are addressed herein focusing on neurological manifestations of APS. Treatment of APS of which anticoagulation is the cornerstone is also discussed.