Up to 75 percent of patients with
systemic lupus erythematosus — an incurable autoimmune disease commonly known as
lupus —
experience neuropsychiatric symptoms.
The ITN will prioritize studies in a few selected autoimmune diseases, building on previous
experience (e.g.,
systemic lupus erythematosus, ANCA - associated vasculitis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis), prioritizing diseases with a relevant antigen (whether self or microbial in origin) that can be targeted and monitored (e.g., pemphigus, MS, ANCA - associated vasculitis), and / or diseases with accessible tissue (e.g., psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, pemphigus, scleroderma).
Alfalfa is safe for ingestion, but it should not be taken for a long terms in supplement form, since it has been shown to cause similar reactions to those
experienced with the autoimmune disease
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).