Methods of preventing binding of an anti-double stranded (ds)-DNA antibody to a neuron in a mammal exhibiting or at risk for lupus-induced cognitive dysfunction are provided. Methods of inhibiting progression of cognitive dysfunction in a mammal exhibiting or at risk for lupus-­induced cognitive dysfunction are also provided. Also provided are methods of inhibiting progression of cognitive dysfunction in a mammal exhibiting or at risk for lupus-induced cognitive dysfunction. Additionally, methods of inhibiting progression of cognitive dysfunction in a mammal exhibiting or at risk for lupus-induced cognitive dysfunction are provided. Further provided are methods of inducing cognitive dysfunction in a mammal, and nonhuman mammal treated with a DNA mimotope in such a manner to induce antibodies that bind to ds-DNA and an NR2 subunit of a neuron in the mammal, then, after the antibodies are induced, treated to temporarily open the blood brain barrier.
TREATMENT OF COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION UN LUPUS