What's the evidence for corticosteroid use in neurological patients?

Corticosteroids are potent pharmacological agents. Depending on the dose, they have an anti-inflammatory effect, immunosuppressive effect, anti-edema effect, or cytotoxic effect versus neoplastic lymphocytes. Corticosteroids have historically been associated with neurology like a horse and carriage. They have therefore widely, almost arbitrarily, been used for a variety of neurological disorders. The questionable efficacy of corticosteroids for most neurological presentations in combination with their unfavourable side effect profile has however resulted in a dramatic decrease of corticosteroid use in veterinary neurology.

Learning objectives:
•Become aware of the benefits and adverse effects of corticosteroids.
•Appreciate the background and changed perception of using corticosteroids for acute spinal and brain injury.
•Get an insight into the use of corticosteroids for immune-mediated neurological disorders.

Presented at London Vet Show 2024

Please note this session is not RACE-approved but you can still earn a CPD certificate