BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection is common in the general 
population and can cause disease in the nervous system. This article reviews the 
neurologic complications associated with this virus.
REVIEW SUMMARY: A vasculitic neuropathy is the most firmly linked neurologic 
illness associated with HCV infection. This type of neuropathy occurs frequently 
in the presence of cryoglobulinemia. HCV is considered the most common cause of 
cryoglobulinemia. Other types of neuropathy have been rarely reported with HCV 
infection and this association is less firm. In the central nervous system, 
vasculitis causing stroke appears to complicate HCV infection, usually in the 
setting of cryoglobulinemia. Several reports of myelitis, encephalitis,lymphoma 
are reviewed. HCV may be the etiologic virus of progressive encephalomyelitis 
with rigidity; a rare disorder similar to stiff-man syndrome although different 
because it is progressive and fatal. Treatment of the neurologic complications 
associated with HCV infection is summarized.
CONCLUSIONS: HCV infection is being increasingly recognized as a probable cause 
of a variety of neurologic disorders. Systematic study of the various 
therapeutic options remains unexplored.