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Kaplan H, Yüzbaşıoğlu S, Vural G, Gümüşyayla Ş. Investigation of small fiber neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus by corneal confocal microscopy. Neurophysiol Clin 2024; 54:102955. [PMID: 38422588 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2024.102955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a non-invasive technique that examines the corneal cellular structure. Its use in the detection of small fiber neuropathy is being researched. In our study, we examined the role of CCM in the detection of small fiber neuropathy in diabetic patients, as well as the differences between CCM findings in diabetic patients with and without overt polyneuropathy with neuropathic symptoms. METHODS 56 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients and 18 healthy controls were included in the study. The individuals included in the study were divided into three groups. Patients with diabetes who were found to have polyneuropathy according to electrophysiological diagnostic criteria were classified as Group 1, patients with diabetes and neuropathic symptoms without overt polyneuropathy according to electrophysiological diagnostic criteria were classified as Group 2, and healthy individuals were classified as Group 3. Electrophysiological examination and corneal imaging with CCM were performed in all groups. RESULTS The CNFD and CNFL values of individuals in the diabetic group were discovered to be lower. CNFD values differ statistically between the groups (p = 0.047). Group 1-Group 3 differs from Group 2-Group 3 (respectively; p = 0.018, p = 0.048). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that CCM can be used in patients with neuropathic symptoms and no polyneuropathy detected in EMG and thought to have small fiber neuropathy. CCM provides an opportunity for early diagnosis in small fiber neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sema Yüzbaşıoğlu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye
| | - Gönül Vural
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye
| | - Şadiye Gümüşyayla
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye.
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2
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Pereira MP, Metz M. [Neuropathy in pruritus medicine : Recommended diagnostics and therapy]. DERMATOLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024:10.1007/s00105-024-05374-z. [PMID: 38869846 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-024-05374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Chronic itch is a frequent and debilitating condition that greatly affects the quality of life of those affected. In a subset of patients, damage to the peripheral or central nervous system constitutes the cause of the itch. Small-fiber neuropathy, nerve compression syndromes, post-herpetic neuralgia, scars and burns are possible conditions affecting the peripheral nervous system potentially causing itch, whereas space-occupying lesions affecting the spinal cord and stroke are examples of conditions that may induce central itch. Neuropathic itch starts on normal appearing skin, is often accompanied by pain sensations and other dysesthesias, and usually relieved by local cold application. Its distribution depends on the affected site of the somatosensory system. A comprehensive medical history is paramount to reach the diagnosis, while complementary diagnostics with skin biopsies for the investigation of cutaneous neuromorphological alterations or medical imaging to rule out nerve impingement may be advised in selected cases. Topical agents such as capsaicin or local anesthetics as well as systemic drugs such as gabapentinoids, antidepressants and opioid receptor modulators are used in the treatment of neuropathic itch. This review article provides an overview of the clinical features, underlying causes, diagnostic workup and therapeutic approach in neuropathic itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel P Pereira
- Institut für Allergieforschung, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Immunologie und Allergologie, Fraunhofer Institut für Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie ITMP, Berlin, Deutschland.
| | - Martin Metz
- Institut für Allergieforschung, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203, Berlin, Deutschland
- Immunologie und Allergologie, Fraunhofer Institut für Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie ITMP, Berlin, Deutschland
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Morelli L, Serra L, Ricciardiello F, Gligora I, Donadio V, Caprini M, Liguori R, Giannoccaro MP. The role of antibodies in small fiber neuropathy: a review of currently available evidence. Rev Neurosci 2024; 0:revneuro-2024-0027. [PMID: 38865989 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2024-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a peripheral nerve condition affecting thin myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C-fibers, characterized by severe neuropathic pain and other sensory and autonomic symptoms. A variety of medical disorders can cause SFN; however, more than 50% of cases are idiopathic (iSFN). Some investigations suggest an autoimmune etiology, backed by evidence of the efficacy of IVIG and plasma exchange. Several studies suggest that autoantibodies directed against nervous system antigens may play a role in the development of neuropathic pain. For instance, patients with CASPR2 and LGI1 antibodies often complain of pain, and in vitro and in vivo studies support their pathogenicity. Other antibodies have been associated with SFN, including those against TS-HDS, FGFR3, and Plexin-D1, and new potential targets have been proposed. Finally, a few studies reported the onset of SFN after COVID-19 infection and vaccination, investigating the presence of potential antibody targets. Despite these overall findings, the pathogenic role has been demonstrated only for some autoantibodies, and the association with specific clinical phenotypes or response to immunotherapy remains to be clarified. The purpose of this review is to summarise known autoantibody targets involved in neuropathic pain, putative attractive autoantibody targets in iSFN patients, their potential as biomarkers of response to immunotherapy and their role in the development of iSFN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Morelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Serra
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fortuna Ricciardiello
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Gligora
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Donadio
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Caprini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Laboratory of Human and General Physiology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato, 19/2 - 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rocco Liguori
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Giannoccaro
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
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Yao C, Zhang H, Wang L, Li J. Correlation of serum Meteorin-like (Metrnl) level with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy. BMC Endocr Disord 2024; 24:83. [PMID: 38849768 PMCID: PMC11162054 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-024-01616-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Meteorin-like (Metrnl), a secreted myokine, is a newly discovered neurotrophic factor. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between the Metrnl level and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS The investigation was conducted on a sample of 80 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 60 healthy controls. The T2DM patients were categorized into two subgroups based on skin biopsy: the DPN subgroup (n = 20) and the diabetes without neuropathy subgroup (n = 60). RESULTS The T2DM groups had higher serum Metrnl concentrations compared with the controls. The serum Metrnl concentration was significantly lower in the DPN group than in T2DM patients without neuropathy. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a notable correlation between serum Metrnl and DPN (OR: 0.997, 95% CI: 0.995-1.000, P < 0.05). Serum Metrnl level was negatively correlated with age and SBP after a simple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION Serum Metrnl concentration is independently correlated with DPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Yao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Gaochun Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongman Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianbo Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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Zeidman LA. Effectiveness of IVIG on Non-Length-Dependent Skin Biopsies in Small Fiber Neuropathy With Plexin D1, Trisulfated Heparin Disaccharide, and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 Autoantibodies. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 25:184-196. [PMID: 38771228 DOI: 10.1097/cnd.0000000000000485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To demonstrate treatment efficacy on composite and non-length-dependent (NLD) punch biopsy specimens from intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in pure small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) with trisulfated heparin disaccharide (TS-HDS), fibroblast growth factor-3 (FGFR-3), or Plexin D1 antibodies. SFN has an increasing prevalence, and over 30% of cases may be immune-mediated. TS-HDS, FGFR-3, and Plexin D1 autoantibodies have been shown to be present in 44%-55% of cryptogenic SFN cases, suggesting an immune mechanism. Reports have shown IVIG to be effective for this condition, but some controversy exists based on length-dependent (LD) post-IVIG treatment data in a recent trial. METHODS In a retrospective review, all pure SFN cases tested for the 3 antibodies from January 2021 to May 2022 were tabulated, and patients who underwent IVIG treatment were separated and analyzed for changes in epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD) on skin biopsy, as well as SFN-specific questionnaire and pain scores. RESULTS Ninety-one patients with pure SFN had antibody testing. Sixty of these (66%) were seropositive, and 31 (34%) were seronegative. Seventeen seropositive patients (13 female patients, 4 male patients, 6 FGFR-3, 2 TS-HDS, 4 Plexin D1, 2 with all 3 antibodies, 1 with FGFR-3 and Plexin D1, 1 with FGFR-3 and TS-HDS, and 1 with TS-HDS and Plexin D1) underwent IVIG treatment. Of these, 2 patients stopped treatment due to side effects, and the remaining 15 completed at least 6 months of IVIG. Of these, 12 had a post-IVIG skin biopsy, and of these, 11 (92%) had a 55.1% improved mean composite ENFD (P = 0.01). NLD-ENFD specimens improved by 42.3% (P = 0.02), and LD-ENFD specimens improved by 99.7% (P = 0.01). Composite ENFD in Plexin D1-SFN patients improved by 139% (P = 0.04). In addition, 14 patients had questionnaires pre-IVIG/post-IVIG, and average pain decreased by 2.7 (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS IVIG shows disease-modifying effect in immune SFN with novel antibodies, especially Plexin D1-SFN, as well as significantly improved pain. NLD-ENFD should be examined as well as LD-ENFD to see this effect. Further randomized controlled trials looking at NLD-ENFD as well as LD-ENFD improvement, along with pain and SFN-specific questionnaires, are needed to confirm these findings.
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Moak JP, Ramwell CB, Gordish-Dressman H, Sule SD, Bettini E. Small fiber neuropathy in children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic orthostatic intolerance and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: A retrospective study. Auton Neurosci 2024; 253:103163. [PMID: 38537312 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2024.103163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine in children, adolescent and young adult (CAYA) patients presenting with Orthostatic Intolerance (OI) or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) associated with the additional symptoms of neuropathic discomfort (pain, paresthesia and/or allodynia): 1) the incidence of small fiber neuropathy, and 2) assess if there was serologic evidence for an underlying inflammatory or autoimmune state. METHODS A cohort of 109 CAYA patients with the above symptoms underwent epidermal skin biopsy for nerve fiber density. Blood biomarkers for inflammation were tested (CRP, ESR, ANA, complement (C3), thyroid function testing with antibodies (thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody), and cytokine panel 13). Patients completed a Quality of Health questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS In CAYA patients with OI or POTS and neuropathic symptoms, skin biopsy for small fiber neuropathy was abnormal in 53 %. The sample population was predominantly female and Caucasian with moderately decreased perceived quality of health. OI /POTS patients with small fiber neuropathy had a 3-fold probability of having a positive ANA or anti-thyroid antibody, suggesting an underlying autoimmune or inflammatory process. CONCLUSION Our data suggest a link between OI and POTS and small fiber neuropathy. Small fiber neuropathy was found by skin biopsy in over half of the patients tested. OI and Postural orthostatic tachycardia patients with small fiber neuropathy expressed multiple markers suggesting an underlying autoimmune or inflammatory process. Future research will be done to evaluate the symptomatic implication of SFN and whether immune or pharmacologic manipulation can alter patient symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey P Moak
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States of America.
| | - Carolyn B Ramwell
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Heather Gordish-Dressman
- Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Sangeeta D Sule
- Division of Rheumatology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Bettini
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States of America
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7
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Scheliga S, Dohrn MF, Habel U, Lampert A, Rolke R, Lischka A, van den Braak N, Spehr M, Jo HG, Kellermann T. Reduced Gray Matter Volume and Cortical Thickness in Patients With Small-Fiber Neuropathy. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104457. [PMID: 38211845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is defined by degeneration or dysfunction of peripheral sensory nerve endings. Central correlates have been identified on the level of gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness (CT) changes. However, across SFN etiologies knowledge about a common structural brain signature is still lacking. Therefore, we recruited 26 SFN patients and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls to conduct voxel-based- and surface-based morphometry. Across all patients, we found reduced GMV in widespread frontal regions, left caudate, insula and superior parietal lobule. Surface-based morphometry analysis revealed reduced CT in the right precentral gyrus of SFN patients. In a region-based approach, patients had reduced GMV in the left caudate. Since pathogenic gain-of-function variants in voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) have been associated with SFN pathophysiology, we explored brain morphological patterns in a homogenous subsample of patients carrying rare heterozygous missense variants. Whole brain- and region-based approaches revealed GMV reductions in the bilateral caudate for Nav variant carriers. Further research is needed to analyze the specific role of Nav variants for structural brain alterations. Together, we conclude that SFN patients have specific GMV and CT alterations, potentially forming potential new central biomarkers for this condition. Our results might help to better understand underlying or compensatory mechanisms of chronic pain perception in the future. PERSPECTIVE: This study reveals structural brain changes in small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) patients, particularly in frontal regions, caudate, insula, and parietal lobule. Notably, individuals with SFN and specific Nav variants exhibit bilateral caudate abnormalities. These findings may serve as potential central biomarkers for SFN and provide insights into chronic pain perception mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Scheliga
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Maike F Dohrn
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Angelika Lampert
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roman Rolke
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Annette Lischka
- Institute for Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Marc Spehr
- Department of Chemosensation, RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Biology II, Aachen, Germany
| | - Han-Gue Jo
- School of Computer Information and Communication Engineering, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, South Korea
| | - Thilo Kellermann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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8
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Mohamed AA, Caussat T, Mouhawasse E, Ali R, Johansen PM, Lucke-Wold B. Neurosurgical Intervention for Nerve and Muscle Biopsies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1169. [PMID: 38893695 PMCID: PMC11172125 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Neurologic and musculoskeletal diseases represent a considerable portion of the underlying etiologies responsible for the widely prevalent symptoms of pain, weakness, numbness, and paresthesia. Because of the subjective and often nonspecific nature of these symptoms, different diagnostic modalities have been explored and utilized. (2) Methods: Literature review. (3) Results: Nerve and muscle biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing many of the responsible neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. However, the need for invasive tissue sampling is diminishing as more investigations explore alternative diagnostic modalities. Because of this, it is important to explore the current role of neurosurgical intervention for nerve and muscle biopsies and its current relevance in the diagnostic landscape of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. With consideration of the role of nerve and muscle biopsy, it is also important to explore innovations and emerging techniques for conducting these procedures. This review explores the indications and emerging techniques for neurological intervention for nerve and muscle biopsies. (4) Conclusions: The role of neurosurgical intervention for nerve and muscle biopsy remains relevant in diagnosing many neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Biopsy is especially relevant as a supportive point of evidence for diagnosis in atypical cases. Additionally, emerging techniques have been explored to guide diagnostics and biopsy, conduct less invasive biopsies, and reduce risks of worsening neurologic function and other symptoms secondary to biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A. Mohamed
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Thomas Caussat
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Edwin Mouhawasse
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Rifa Ali
- College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Phillip M. Johansen
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33613, USA
| | - Brandon Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
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9
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Nolano M, Provitera V, Caporaso G, Fasolino I, Borreca I, Stancanelli A, Iuzzolino VV, Senerchia G, Vitale F, Tozza S, Ruggiero L, Iodice R, Ferrari S, Santoro L, Manganelli F, Dubbioso R. Skin innervation across amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical stages: new prognostic biomarkers. Brain 2024; 147:1740-1750. [PMID: 38123494 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, peripheral sensory abnormalities, including the evidence of cutaneous denervation, have been reported among the non-motor manifestations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, a correlation between cutaneous innervation and clinical features has not been found. The aims of this study were to assess sensory involvement by applying a morpho-functional approach to a large population of ALS patients stratified according to King's stages and correlate these findings with the severity and prognosis of the disease. We recruited 149 ALS patients and 41 healthy controls. Patients undertook clinical questionnaires for small fibre neuropathy symptoms (Small Fiber Neuropathy Symptoms Inventory Questionnaire) and underwent nerve conductions studies (NCS) and 3-mm punch skin biopsies from leg, thigh and fingertip. We assessed intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) and Meissner corpuscle (MC) density by applying an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Moreover, a subset of 65 ALS patients underwent a longitudinal study with repeat biopsies from the thigh at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Serum NfL levels were measured in 40 patients. Sensory symptoms and sensory NCS abnormalities were present in 32.2% and 24% of patients, respectively, and increased across clinical stages. Analogously, we observed a progressive reduction in amplitude of the sensory and motor ulnar nerve potential from stage 1 to stage 4. Skin biopsy showed a significant loss of IENFs and MCs in ALS compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.001). Across the clinical stages, we found a progressive reduction in MCs (P = 0.004) and an increase in IENFs (all P < 0.027). The increase in IENFs was confirmed by the longitudinal study. Interestingly, the MC density inversely correlated with NfL level (r = -0.424, P = 0.012), and survival analysis revealed that low MC density, higher NfL levels and increasing IENF density over time were associated with a poorer prognosis (all P < 0.024). To summarize, in patients with ALS, peripheral sensory involvement worsens in parallel with motor disability. Furthermore, the correlation between skin innervation and disease activity may suggest the use of skin innervation as a putative prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nolano
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Provitera
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caporaso
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Ines Fasolino
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials-National Research Council (IPCB-CNR), Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Ilaria Borreca
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Annamaria Stancanelli
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Valentina V Iuzzolino
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Senerchia
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Floriana Vitale
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Rosa Iodice
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Sergio Ferrari
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
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10
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Aspegren O, Pourhamidi K. Reliable Method for Estimating Nerve Fiber Density in Epidermis Using Routine Histopathologic Tissue Preparation: A Promising Diagnostic Tool for Small Fiber Neuropathy. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2024; 32:215-221. [PMID: 38650330 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000001193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Practical yet reliable diagnostic tools for small-fiber neuropathy are needed. We aimed to establish a histopathologic protocol for estimating intraepidermal nerve fiber density (eIENFD) on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE), evaluate its reliability through intraobserver and interobserver analyses, and provide normative reference values for clinical use. Sixty-eight healthy participants underwent nerve conduction studies and quantitative sensory testing. Skin biopsies from the distal and proximal leg were taken and processed using routine immunohistochemistry (anti-PGP9.5 antibodies) on thin 5 µm sections. eIENFD was assessed with a modified counting protocol. Interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities were excellent (ICC=0.9). eIENFD was higher in females than males (fibers/mm, 14.3±4.4 vs. 11.6±5.8, P <0.05), decreased with age ( r s =-0.47, P <0.001), and was higher proximally than distally (15.0±5.5 vs. 13.0±5.3, P =0.002). Quantile regression equations for the fifth percentile of distal and proximal eIENFD were presented: 13.125-0.161×age (y)-0.932×sex (male=1; female=0) and 17.204-0.192×age (y)-3.313×sex (male=1; female=0), respectively. This study introduces a reliable and reproducible method for estimating epidermal nerve fiber density through immunostaining on 5-µm thin FFPE tissue samples. Normative data on eIENFD is provided. Regression equations help identify abnormal decreases in small nerve fiber density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Aspegren
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital
| | - Kaveh Pourhamidi
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Kan YY, Chang YS, Liao WC, Chao TN, Hsieh YL. Roles of Neuronal Protein Kinase Cε on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagic Formation in Diabetic Neuropathy. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2481-2495. [PMID: 37906389 PMCID: PMC11043183 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03716-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
In chronic diabetic neuropathy (DN), the cellular mechanisms of neuropathic pain remain unclear. Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) is an intracellular signaling molecule that mediates chronic pain. This paper addresses the long-term upregulated PKCε in DN associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagic formation and correlates to chronic neuropathic pain. We found that thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia course development were associated with PKCε upregulation after DN but not skin denervation. Pathologically, PKCε upregulation was associated with the expression of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α; ER stress-related molecule) and ubiquitin D (UBD), which are involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-mediated degradation of misfolded proteins under ER stress. Manders coefficient analyses revealed an approximately 50% colocalized ratio for IRE1α(+):PKCε(+) neurons (0.34-0.48 for M1 and 0.40-0.58 for M2 Manders coefficients). The colocalized coefficients of UBD/PKCε increased (M1: 0.33 ± 0.03 vs. 0.77 ± 0.04, p < 0.001; M2: 0.29 ± 0.05 vs. 0.78 ± 0.04; p < 0.001) in the acute DN stage. In addition, the regulatory subunit p85 of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, which is involved in regulating insulin signaling, exhibited similar expression patterns to those of IRE1α and UBD; for example, it had highly colocalized ratios to PKCε. The ultrastructural examination further confirmed that autophagic formation was associated with PKCε upregulation. Furthermore, PKCεv1-2, a PKCε specific inhibitor, reverses neuropathic pain, ER stress, and autophagic formation in DN. This finding suggests PKCε plays an upstream molecule in DN-associated neuropathic pain and neuropathology and could provide a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yu Kan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Shuang Chang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chieh Liao
- Doctoral Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ning Chao
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
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12
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Costanzo M, Galosi E, De Bartolo MI, Gallo G, Leodori G, Belvisi D, Conte A, Fabbrini G, Truini A, Berardelli A, Vivacqua G. Evaluating the Diagnostic Potential of Combined Salivary and Skin Biomarkers in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4823. [PMID: 38732041 PMCID: PMC11084721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Oligomeric alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in saliva and phosphorylated α-syn deposits in the skin have emerged as promising diagnostic biomarkers for Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to assess and compare the diagnostic value of these biomarkers in discriminating between 38 PD patients and 24 healthy subjects (HSs) using easily accessible biological samples. Additionally, the study sought to determine the diagnostic potential of combining these biomarkers and to explore their correlations with clinical features. Salivary oligomeric α-syn levels were quantified using competitive ELISA, while skin biopsies were analyzed through immunofluorescence to detect phosphorylated α-syn at Ser129 (p-S129). Both biomarkers individually were accurate in discriminating PD patients from HSs, with a modest agreement between them. The combined positivity of salivary α-syn oligomers and skin p-S129 aggregates differentiated PD patients from HSs with an excellent discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.9095. The modest agreement observed between salivary and skin biomarkers individually suggests that they may reflect different aspects of PD pathology, thus providing complementary information when combined. This study's results highlight the potential of utilizing a multimodal biomarker approach to enhance diagnostic accuracy in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Costanzo
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (G.L.); (A.C.); (G.F.); (A.T.); (A.B.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Galosi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (G.L.); (A.C.); (G.F.); (A.T.); (A.B.)
| | | | - Gaetano Gallo
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia, Ospedali Riuniti Padova Sud, Via Albere 30, 35043 Padova, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Leodori
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (G.L.); (A.C.); (G.F.); (A.T.); (A.B.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Isernia, Italy;
| | - Daniele Belvisi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (G.L.); (A.C.); (G.F.); (A.T.); (A.B.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Isernia, Italy;
| | - Antonella Conte
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (G.L.); (A.C.); (G.F.); (A.T.); (A.B.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Isernia, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Fabbrini
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (G.L.); (A.C.); (G.F.); (A.T.); (A.B.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Isernia, Italy;
| | - Andrea Truini
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (G.L.); (A.C.); (G.F.); (A.T.); (A.B.)
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (G.L.); (A.C.); (G.F.); (A.T.); (A.B.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Isernia, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Vivacqua
- Department of Experimental Morphology and Microscopy-Integrated Research Center (PRAAB), Campus Biomedico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy;
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13
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Sommer C, Baron R, Sachau J, Papagianni A, Özgül ÖS, Enax-Krumova E. [The EAN-NeuPSIG guideline on the diagnosis of neuropathic pain-a summary]. Schmerz 2024:10.1007/s00482-024-00806-0. [PMID: 38602515 DOI: 10.1007/s00482-024-00806-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
In this joint guideline of the scientific societies and working groups mentioned in the title, evidence-based recommendations for the use of screening questionnaires and diagnostic tests in patients with neuropathic pain were developed. The systematic literature search and meta-analysis yielded the following results: Of the screening questionnaires, Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4), I‑DN4 (self-administered DN4), and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) received a strong recommendation, while S‑LANSS (self-administered LANSS) and PainDETECT received weak recommendations for their use in the diagnostic workup of patients with possible neuropathic pain. There was a strong recommendation for the use of skin biopsy and a weak recommendation for quantitative sensory testing and nociceptive evoked potentials. The role of confocal corneal microscopy is still unclear. Functional imaging and peripheral nerve blocks are helpful in elucidating the pathophysiology, but current literature does not support their use in diagnosing neuropathic pain. In selected cases, genetic testing in specialized centers may be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sommer
- Neurologische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland.
| | - Ralf Baron
- Sektion Neurologische Schmerzforschung und -therapie, Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Deutschland
| | - Juliane Sachau
- Sektion Neurologische Schmerzforschung und -therapie, Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Deutschland
| | | | - Özüm S Özgül
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil gGmbH, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland
| | - Elena Enax-Krumova
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil gGmbH, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland
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14
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Hofmann L, Grüner J, Klug K, Breyer M, Klein T, Hochheimer V, Wagenhäuser L, Wischmeyer E, Üçeyler N. Elevated interleukin-8 expression by skin fibroblasts as a potential contributor to pain in women with Fabry disease. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300687. [PMID: 38593151 PMCID: PMC11003625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder of X-linked inheritance. Mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene lead to cellular globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) depositions and triggerable acral burning pain in both sexes as an early FD symptom of unknown pathophysiology. We aimed at elucidating the link between skin cells and nociceptor sensitization contributing to FD pain in a sex-associated manner. We used cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts of 27 adult FD patients and 20 healthy controls. Epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts were cultured and immunoreacted to evaluate Gb3 load. Gene expression analysis of pain-related ion channels and pro-inflammatory cytokines was performed in dermal fibroblasts. We further investigated electrophysiological properties of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived sensory-like neurons of a man with FD and a healthy man and incubated the cells with interleukin 8 (IL-8) or fibroblast supernatant as an in vitro model system. Keratinocytes displayed no intracellular, but membrane-bound Gb3 deposits. In contrast, fibroblasts showed intracellular Gb3 and revealed higher gene expression of potassium intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel 3.1 (KCa 3.1, KCNN4) in both, men and women with FD compared to controls. Additionally, cytokine expression analysis showed increased IL-8 RNA levels only in female FD fibroblasts. Patch-clamp studies revealed reduced rheobase currents for both iPSC neuron cell lines incubated with IL-8 or fibroblast supernatant of women with FD. We conclude that Gb3 deposition in female FD patient skin fibroblasts may lead to increased KCa3.1 activity and IL-8 secretion. This may result in cutaneous nociceptor sensitization as a potential mechanism contributing to a sex-associated FD pain phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hofmann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Grüner
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Klug
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Breyer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Klein
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Hochheimer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Laura Wagenhäuser
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Erhard Wischmeyer
- Molecular Electrophysiology, Institute of Physiology, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nurcan Üçeyler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Fabry Center for interdisciplinary Therapy (FAZiT), University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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15
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Baka P, Steenken L, Escolano-Lozano F, Steffen F, Papagianni A, Sommer C, Pogatzki-Zahn E, Hirsch S, Protopapa M, Bittner S, Birklein F. Studying serum neurofilament light chain levels as a potential new biomarker for small fiber neuropathy. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16192. [PMID: 38189534 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Diagnosing small fiber neuropathies can be challenging. To address this issue, whether serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) could serve as a potential biomarker of damage to epidermal Aδ- and C-fibers was tested. METHODS Serum NfL levels were assessed in 30 patients diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy and were compared to a control group of 19 healthy individuals. Electrophysiological studies, quantitative sensory testing and quantification of intraepidermal nerve fiber density after skin biopsy were performed in both the proximal and distal leg. RESULTS Serum NfL levels were not increased in patients with small fiber neuropathy compared to healthy controls (9.1 ± 3.9 and 9.4 ± 3.8, p = 0.83) and did not correlate with intraepidermal nerve fiber density at the lateral calf or lateral thigh or with other parameters of small fiber impairment. CONCLUSION Serum NfL levels cannot serve as a biomarker for small fiber damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panoraia Baka
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Livia Steenken
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabiola Escolano-Lozano
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Falk Steffen
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Claudia Sommer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Esther Pogatzki-Zahn
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Silke Hirsch
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Protopapa
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Bittner
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Frank Birklein
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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16
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Wu PJ, Tseng HC, Chao CC, Liao YH, Yen CT, Lin WY, Hsieh ST, Sun WZ, Sun CK. Discontinuity third harmonic generation microscopy for label-free imaging and quantification of intraepidermal nerve fibers. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100735. [PMID: 38503290 PMCID: PMC10985268 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Label-free imaging methodologies for nerve fibers rely on spatial signal continuity to identify fibers and fail to image free intraepidermal nerve endings (FINEs). Here, we present an imaging methodology-called discontinuity third harmonic generation (THG) microscopy (dTHGM)-that detects three-dimensional discontinuities in THG signals as the contrast. We describe the mechanism and design of dTHGM and apply it to reveal the bead-string characteristics of unmyelinated FINEs. We confirmed the label-free capability of dTHGM through a comparison study with the PGP9.5 immunohistochemical staining slides and a longitudinal spared nerve injury study. An intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) index based on a discontinuous-dot-connecting algorithm was developed to facilitate clinical applications of dTHGM. A preliminary clinical study confirmed that the IENF index was highly correlated with skin-biopsy-based IENF density (Pearson's correlation coefficient R = 0.98) and could achieve differential identification of small-fiber neuropathy (p = 0.0102) in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Jhe Wu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chieh Tseng
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chao Chao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100225, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hua Liao
- Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei 100225, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Tung Yen
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ying Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100225, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Tsang Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100225, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Zen Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100225, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-Kuang Sun
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
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17
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Casselini CM, Parson HK, Frizzi KE, Marquez A, Smith DR, Guernsey L, Nemmani R, Tayarani A, Jolivalt CG, Weaver J, Fernyhough P, Vinik AI, Calcutt NA. A muscarinic receptor antagonist reverses multiple indices of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: preclinical and clinical studies using oxybutynin. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:60. [PMID: 38526612 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02710-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Preclinical studies indicate that diverse muscarinic receptor antagonists, acting via the M1 sub-type, promote neuritogenesis from sensory neurons in vitro and prevent and/or reverse both structural and functional indices of neuropathy in rodent models of diabetes. We sought to translate this as a potential therapeutic approach against structural and functional indices of diabetic neuropathy using oxybutynin, a muscarinic antagonist approved for clinical use against overactive bladder. Studies were performed using sensory neurons maintained in vitro, rodent models of type 1 or type 2 diabetes and human subjects with type 2 diabetes and confirmed neuropathy. Oxybutynin promoted significant neurite outgrowth in sensory neuron cultures derived from adult normal rats and STZ-diabetic mice, with maximal efficacy in the 1-100 nmol/l range. This was accompanied by a significantly enhanced mitochondrial energetic profile as reflected by increased basal and maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity. Systemic (3-10 mg/kg/day s.c.) and topical (3% gel daily) oxybutynin reversed paw heat hypoalgesia in the STZ and db/db mouse models of diabetes and reversed paw tactile allodynia in STZ-diabetic rats. Loss of nerve profiles in the skin and cornea of db/db mice was also prevented by daily topical delivery of 3% oxybutynin for 8 weeks. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled interventional trial was performed in subjects with type 2 diabetes and established peripheral neuropathy. Subjects received daily topical treatment with 3% oxybutynin gel or placebo for 6 months. The a priori designated primary endpoint, significant change in intra-epidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) in skin biopsies taken before and after 20 weeks of treatments, was met by oxybutynin but not placebo. Secondary endpoints showing significant improvement with oxybutynin treatment included scores on clinical neuropathy, pain and quality of life scales. This proof-of-concept study indicates that muscarinic antagonists suitable for long-term use may offer a novel therapeutic opportunity for treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Trial registry number: NCT03050827.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina M Casselini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Strelitz Diabetes Center, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Henri K Parson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Strelitz Diabetes Center, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Katie E Frizzi
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alex Marquez
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Darrell R Smith
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, R4046 - 351 Taché Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Lucie Guernsey
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rakesh Nemmani
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alireza Tayarani
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Corinne G Jolivalt
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Weaver
- Department of Internal Medicine, Strelitz Diabetes Center, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Paul Fernyhough
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, R4046 - 351 Taché Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Aaron I Vinik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Strelitz Diabetes Center, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Nigel A Calcutt
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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18
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Solbakken G, Løseth S, Frich JC, Dietrichs E, Ørstavik K. Small and large fiber neuropathy in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1375218. [PMID: 38504800 PMCID: PMC10949405 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1375218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder that affects multiple organs. In this study, we investigated symptoms of pain and presence of small and large fiber neuropathy in the juvenile and adult form of DM1. Method Twenty genetically verified DM1 patients were included. Pain was assessed, and neurological examination and investigations of the peripheral nervous system by quantification of small nerve fibers in skin biopsy, quantitative sensory testing and nerve conduction studies were performed. Results from skin biopsies were compared to healthy controls. Result Seventeen patients reported chronic pain. Large and/or small fiber abnormalities were present in 50% of the patients. The intraepidermal nerve fiber density was significantly lower in the whole group of patients compared to healthy controls. Conclusion Small-fiber neuropathy might be an important cause of pain in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gro Solbakken
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Drammen Hospital, Vestre Viken Health Trust, Drammen, Norway
| | - Sissel Løseth
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Section of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jan C. Frich
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Espen Dietrichs
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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19
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Breyer M, Grüner J, Klein A, Finke L, Klug K, Sauer M, Üçeyler N. In vitro characterization of cells derived from a patient with the GLA variant c.376A>G (p.S126G) highlights a non-pathogenic role in Fabry disease. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2024; 38:101029. [PMID: 38469097 PMCID: PMC10926200 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2023.101029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Fabry disease (FD) is a life-limiting disorder characterized by intracellular globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) accumulations. The underlying α-galactosidase A (α-GAL A) deficiency is caused by variants in the gene GLA. Variants of unknown significance (VUS) are frequently found in GLA and challenge clinical management. Here, we investigated a 49-year old man with cryptogenic lacunar cerebral stroke and the chance finding of the VUS S126G, who was sent to our center for diagnosis and initiation of a costly and life-long FD-specific treatment. We combined clinical examination with in vitro investigations of dermal fibroblasts (HDF), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), and iPSC-derived sensory neurons. We analyzed α-GAL A activity in iPSC, Gb3 accumulation in all three cell types, and action potential firing in sensory neurons. Neurological examination and small nerve fiber assessment was normal except for reduced distal skin innervation. S126G iPSC showed normal α-GAL A activity compared to controls and no Gb3 deposits were found in all three cell types. Baseline electrophysiological characteristics of S126G neurons showed no difference compared to healthy controls as investigated by patch-clamp recordings. We pioneer multi-level cellular characterization of the VUS S126G using three cell types derived from a patient and provide further evidence for the benign nature of S126G in GLA, which is of great importance in the management of such cases in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Breyer
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Grüner
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Klein
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Laura Finke
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Klug
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Biophysics and Biotechnology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nurcan Üçeyler
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Würzburg Fabry Center for Interdisciplinary Therapy (FAZIT), University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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20
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Nabar S, Fernandez J, Prakash V, Safder S. Gastrointestinal manifestations seen in pediatric patients diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2024; 78:583-591. [PMID: 38504414 DOI: 10.1002/jpn3.12099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) affects the fibers involved in cutaneous and visceral pain and temperature sensation and are a crucial part of the autonomic nervous system. Autonomic dysfunction secondary to SFN and autoimmune receptor antibodies is being increasingly recognized, and gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations include constipation, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Enteric nervous system involvement may be a possible explanation of abnormal GI motility patterns seen in these patients. METHODS Children suspected to have SFN based on symptoms underwent skin biopsy at the Child Neurology clinic at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, which was processed at Therapath™ Neuropathology. SFN was diagnosed using epidermal nerve fiber density values that were below 5th percentile from the left distal leg (calf) as reported per Therapath™ laboratory. RESULTS Twenty-six patients were diagnosed with SFN. Retrospective chart review was performed, including demographic data, clinical characteristics, and evaluation. A majority of patients were white adolescent females. Autonomic dysfunction, including orthostasis and temperature dysregulation were seen in 61.5% of patients (p = 0.124). Somatosensory symptoms, including pain or numbness were seen in 85% of patients (p < 0.001). GI symptoms were present in 85% of patients (p < 0.001) with constipation being the most common symptom seen in 50% of patients. This correlated with the motility testing results. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric patients with SFN commonly have GI symptoms, which may be the main presenting symptom. It is important to recognize and look for symptoms of small fiber neuropathy in children with refractory GI symptoms that may explain multisystemic complaints often seen in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Nabar
- Center for Digestive Health and Nutrition, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Jenelle Fernandez
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Vikram Prakash
- Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children Neurology, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Shaista Safder
- Center for Digestive Health and Nutrition, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, Florida, USA
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21
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Walitt B, Singh K, LaMunion SR, Hallett M, Jacobson S, Chen K, Enose-Akahata Y, Apps R, Barb JJ, Bedard P, Brychta RJ, Buckley AW, Burbelo PD, Calco B, Cathay B, Chen L, Chigurupati S, Chen J, Cheung F, Chin LMK, Coleman BW, Courville AB, Deming MS, Drinkard B, Feng LR, Ferrucci L, Gabel SA, Gavin A, Goldstein DS, Hassanzadeh S, Horan SC, Horovitz SG, Johnson KR, Govan AJ, Knutson KM, Kreskow JD, Levin M, Lyons JJ, Madian N, Malik N, Mammen AL, McCulloch JA, McGurrin PM, Milner JD, Moaddel R, Mueller GA, Mukherjee A, Muñoz-Braceras S, Norato G, Pak K, Pinal-Fernandez I, Popa T, Reoma LB, Sack MN, Safavi F, Saligan LN, Sellers BA, Sinclair S, Smith B, Snow J, Solin S, Stussman BJ, Trinchieri G, Turner SA, Vetter CS, Vial F, Vizioli C, Williams A, Yang SB, Nath A. Deep phenotyping of post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Nat Commun 2024; 15:907. [PMID: 38383456 PMCID: PMC10881493 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45107-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (PI-ME/CFS) is a disabling disorder, yet the clinical phenotype is poorly defined, the pathophysiology is unknown, and no disease-modifying treatments are available. We used rigorous criteria to recruit PI-ME/CFS participants with matched controls to conduct deep phenotyping. Among the many physical and cognitive complaints, one defining feature of PI-ME/CFS was an alteration of effort preference, rather than physical or central fatigue, due to dysfunction of integrative brain regions potentially associated with central catechol pathway dysregulation, with consequences on autonomic functioning and physical conditioning. Immune profiling suggested chronic antigenic stimulation with increase in naïve and decrease in switched memory B-cells. Alterations in gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and metabolic pathways were consistent with cellular phenotypic studies and demonstrated differences according to sex. Together these clinical abnormalities and biomarker differences provide unique insight into the underlying pathophysiology of PI-ME/CFS, which may guide future intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Walitt
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Komudi Singh
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Samuel R LaMunion
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestion, and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Hallett
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steve Jacobson
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kong Chen
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestion, and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Richard Apps
- NIH Center for Human Immunology, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation (CHI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Patrick Bedard
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert J Brychta
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestion, and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Peter D Burbelo
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brice Calco
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brianna Cathay
- Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Li Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan, China
| | - Snigdha Chigurupati
- George Washington University Hospital, District of Columbia, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jinguo Chen
- NIH Center for Human Immunology, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation (CHI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Foo Cheung
- NIH Center for Human Immunology, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation (CHI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Amber B Courville
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestion, and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Scott A Gabel
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Angelique Gavin
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David S Goldstein
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Sean C Horan
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Silvina G Horovitz
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kory R Johnson
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anita Jones Govan
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kristine M Knutson
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joy D Kreskow
- National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Levin
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan J Lyons
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas Madian
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nasir Malik
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew L Mammen
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Patrick M McGurrin
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Ruin Moaddel
- National Institute of Aging (NIA), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Mueller
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Amrita Mukherjee
- NIH Center for Human Immunology, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation (CHI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sandra Muñoz-Braceras
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gina Norato
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine Pak
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Iago Pinal-Fernandez
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Traian Popa
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lauren B Reoma
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael N Sack
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Farinaz Safavi
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Leorey N Saligan
- National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brian A Sellers
- NIH Center for Human Immunology, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation (CHI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Bryan Smith
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joseph Snow
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Barbara J Stussman
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Felipe Vial
- Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlotta Vizioli
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ashley Williams
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Avindra Nath
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA.
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22
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Živković SA, Lacomis D, Soman P. Neuromuscular manifestations of wild type transthyretin amyloidosis: a review and single center's experience. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1345608. [PMID: 38410247 PMCID: PMC10894993 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1345608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a condition defined by accumulation of insoluble transthyretin amyloid deposits in multiple organs, especially in the peripheral nerve and heart muscle. ATTR may result from transthyretin mutations (variant ATTR or ATTRv) or may occur with normal transthyretin genotype (wild type ATTR or ATTRwt). ATTRwt was previously known as "senile amyloidosis" and causes cardiomyopathy which may lead to heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction, affecting predominantly elderly men. The exact prevalence of ATTRwt in the general population remains unclear, but its occurrence may be underestimated in women. It was observed that a proportion of ATTRwt cardiomyopathy patients may develop slowly progressing neuropathy that is milder and indolent in comparison with typical progressive neuropathy associated with ATTRv. Furthermore, the causality of neuropathy is often uncertain in patients with ATTRwt. Neuropathy symptoms, including distal sensory loss, unsteadiness and (neuropathic) pain are common in elderly patients with multiple potential causes, and as ATTRwt patients are typically older, relatively high prevalence of peripheral neuropathy is expected with frequent comorbidities. Relatively high prevalence of ATTRwt in elderly population contrasts few documented cases of neuropathy caused by ATTRwt, and there is uncertainty whether ATTRwt neuropathy is an infrequent occurrence or a significant manifestation of multisystemic ATTRwt. We review neurologic and musculoskeletal manifestations of ATTRwt and present clinical features of a single center cohort of ATTRwt patients with suspected peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha A Živković
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Center, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David Lacomis
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Prem Soman
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Center, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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23
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Moloney NA, Lenoir D. Assessment of neuropathic pain following cancer treatment. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:309-319. [PMID: 36700536 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic cancer pain (NCP) is prevalent affecting up to 58% of those with persistent pain following cancer treatment. Neuropathic pain can develop from malignancy, after neural tissue insult during surgery and/or exposure to radiation or neurotoxic agents used as part of cancer treatment regimens. Pain following cancer treatment is commonly under-treated and one barrier identified is poor recognition of pain and inadequate assessment. Recognition of the presence of NCP is important to inform pain management, which is challenging to treat and warrants the use of specific treatments to target neuropathic mechanisms. In this review, approaches for screening and classifying NCP are described. These include screening questionnaires and the application of the updated neuropathic pain grading system in a cancer context. The evidence from neuropathic pain related assessments in cancer populations is provided and highlighted under different neuropathic pain grades. Recommendations for assessment in practice are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh A Moloney
- Department of Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dorine Lenoir
- Pain in Motion International Research Group, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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24
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Fischer F, Dohrn MF, Kapfenberger R, Igharo D, Seeber D, de Moya Rubio E, Pitarokoili K, Börsch N, Mücke M, Rolke R, Schulz JB, Maier A. [Neuropathic pain as a symptom in autonomic neuropathies and other rare diseases : Small fiber neuropathy: its recognition, diagnosis, and treatment]. Schmerz 2024; 38:33-40. [PMID: 38197939 DOI: 10.1007/s00482-023-00783-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain is difficult to diagnose and treat. Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) flies under the radar of nerve conduction studies. OBJECTIVES The importance of a structured patient history and physical examination in the context of neuropathic pain is emphasized. Describing SFN as an important cause, the authors consider rare but partially treatable differential diagnoses. They conclude that autonomic symptoms are frequently associated, often presenting with diverse symptoms. METHODS A selective literature research to present SFN symptoms as well as differential diagnostic and therapeutic steps in the context of SFN and rare diseases focusing on the autonomic nervous system. RESULTS Neuropathic pain significantly reduces quality of life. To shorten the time until diagnosis and to initiate therapy, the authors recommend a structured patient history including sensory plus and minus symptoms and non-specific autonomic signs. If the initial search for the cause is not successful, rare causes such as treatable transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis and Fabry's disease or autoimmune causes should be considered, particularly in the case of progressive and/or autonomic symptoms. CONCLUSION The diagnosis and therapy of rare SFN requires interdisciplinary collaboration and, in many cases, a referral to specialized centers to achieve the best patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Fischer
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Maike F Dohrn
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Romina Kapfenberger
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Denver Igharo
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
- Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik, Helios Klinikum Krefeld, Krefeld, Deutschland
| | - Diana Seeber
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Elena de Moya Rubio
- POTS und andere Dysautonomien e. V., Bochum, Deutschland
- Marfan Hilfe (Deutschland) e. V., Olpe, Deutschland
| | - Kalliopi Pitarokoili
- Neurologische Universitätsklinik am St. Josef Hospital Katholisches Klinikum Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland
| | - Natalie Börsch
- Institut für Digitale Allgemeinmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen Aachen (ZSEA), Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Martin Mücke
- Institut für Digitale Allgemeinmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen Aachen (ZSEA), Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Roman Rolke
- Klinik für Palliativmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Jörg B Schulz
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
- JARA-BRAIN Institut II, Institut für Neurowissenschaften und Medizin, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH und RWTH Aachen, Jülich, Deutschland
| | - Andrea Maier
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland.
- POTS und andere Dysautonomien e. V., Bochum, Deutschland.
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25
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Zirpoli GR, Farhad K, Klein MC, Downs S, Klein MM, Oaklander AL. Initial validation of the Mass. General Neuropathy Exam Tool (MAGNET) for evaluation of distal small-fiber neuropathy. Muscle Nerve 2024; 69:185-198. [PMID: 38112169 PMCID: PMC10842781 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Diagnosis of small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is hampered by its subjective symptoms and signs. Confirmatory testing is insufficiently available and expensive, so predictive examinations have value. However, few support the 2020 SFN consensus-case-definition requirements or were validated for non-diabetes neuropathies. Thus we developed the Massachusetts General Hospital Neuropathy Exam Tool (MAGNET) and measured diagnostic performance in 160 symptomatic patients evaluated for length-dependent SFN from any cause and 37 healthy volunteers. METHODS We compared prevalences of abnormalities (vital signs, pupil responses, lower-limb appearance, pin, light touch, vibration and position sensitivity, great-toe strength, muscle stretch reflexes), and validated diagnostic performance against objective SFN tests: lower-leg skin-biopsy epidermal neurite densities and autonomic function testing (AFT). Sensitivity/specificity, feasibility, test-retest and inter-rater reliability, and convergence with the Utah Early Neuropathy Scale were calculated. RESULTS Patients' ages averaged 48.5 ± 14.7 years and 70.6% were female. Causes of neuropathy varied, remaining unknown in 59.5%. Among the 46 with abnormal skin biopsies, the most prevalent abnormality was reduced pin sharpness at the toes (71.7%). Inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity excelled (range = 91.3-95.6%). Receiver operating characteristics comparing all symptomatic patients versus healthy controls indicated that a MAGNET threshold score of 14 maximized predictive accuracy for skin biopsies (0.74) and a 30 cut-off maximized accuracy for predicting AFT (0.60). Analyzing patients with any abnormal neuropathy-test results identified areas-under-the-curves of 0.87-0.89 for predicting a diagnostic result, accuracy = 0.80-0.89, and Youden's index = 0.62. Overall, MAGNET was 80%-85% accurate for stratifying patients with abnormal versus normal neuropathy test results. DISCUSSION MAGNET quickly generates research-quality metrics during clinical examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary R. Zirpoli
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Khosro Farhad
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeleine C. Klein
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sean Downs
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Max M. Klein
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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26
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Chan ACY, Siah KTH. Can Small Fiber Neuropathy Explain the Overlap Gastrointestinal and Non-gastrointestinal Symptoms in Some Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients? J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 30:116-118. [PMID: 38173163 PMCID: PMC10774798 DOI: 10.5056/jnm23039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C Y Chan
- Division of Neurology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kewin T H Siah
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore
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27
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Gemignani F, Percesepe A, Gualandi F, Allegri I, Bellanova MF, Nuredini A, Saccani E, Ambrosini E, Barili V, Uliana V. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease with Myelin Protein Zero Mutation Presenting as Painful, Predominant Small-Fiber Neuropathy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1654. [PMID: 38338934 PMCID: PMC10855578 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) rarely presents with painful symptoms, which mainly occur in association with myelin protein zero (MPZ) gene mutations. We aimed to further characterize the features of painful neuropathic phenotypes in MPZ-related CMT. We report on a 58-year-old woman with a longstanding history of intermittent migrant pain and dysesthesias. Examination showed minimal clinical signs of neuropathy along with mild changes upon electroneurographic examination, consistent with an intermediate pattern, and small-fiber loss upon skin biopsy. Genetic testing identified the heterozygous variant p.Trp101Ter in MPZ. We identified another 20 CMT patients in the literature who presented with neuropathic pain as a main feature in association with MPZ mutations, mostly in the extracellular MPZ domain; the majority of these patients showed late onset (14/20), with motor-nerve-conduction velocities predominantly in the intermediate range (12/20). It is hypothesized that some MPZ mutations could manifest with, or predispose to, neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms linking MPZ mutations and pain-generating nerve changes are unclear, as are the possible role of modifier factors. This peculiar CMT presentation may be diagnostically misleading, as it is suggestive of an acquired pain syndrome rather than of an inherited neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Gemignani
- European Diagnostic Center, Polyclinic Dalla Rosa Prati, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Percesepe
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Gualandi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Mother and Child, Sant’Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Isabella Allegri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Specialized Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Federica Bellanova
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Histopathology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Andi Nuredini
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Saccani
- Neurology Unit, Department of Specialized Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Enrico Ambrosini
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Valeria Barili
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Vera Uliana
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
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28
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Chandrasekaran K, Najimi N, Sagi AR, Yarlagadda S, Salimian M, Arvas MI, Hedayat AF, Kevas Y, Kadakia A, Kristian T, Russell JW. NAD + Precursors Reverse Experimental Diabetic Neuropathy in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1102. [PMID: 38256175 PMCID: PMC10816262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormal NAD+ signaling has been implicated in axonal degeneration in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). We hypothesized that supplementing NAD+ precursors could alleviate DPN symptoms through increasing the NAD+ levels and activating the sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) protein. To test this, we exposed cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion neurons (DRGs) to Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) or Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), which increased the levels of NAD+, the SIRT1 protein, and the deacetylation activity that is associated with increased neurite growth. A SIRT1 inhibitor blocked the neurite growth induced via NR or NMN. We then induced neuropathy in C57BL6 mice with streptozotocin (STZ) or a high fat diet (HFD) and administered NR or NMN for two months. Both the STZ and HFD mice developed neuropathy, which was reversed through the NR or NMN administration: sensory function improved, nerve conduction velocities normalized, and intraepidermal nerve fibers were restored. The NAD+ levels and SIRT1 activity were reduced in the DRGs from diabetic mice but were preserved with the NR or NMN treatment. We also tested the effect of NR or NMN administration in mice that overexpress the SIRT1 protein in neurons (nSIRT1 OE) and found no additional benefit from the addition of the drug. These findings suggest that supplementing with NAD+ precursors or activating SIRT1 may be a promising treatment for DPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krish Chandrasekaran
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Neda Najimi
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Avinash R. Sagi
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Sushuma Yarlagadda
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Mohammad Salimian
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Muhammed Ikbal Arvas
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Ahmad F. Hedayat
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Yanni Kevas
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Anand Kadakia
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Tibor Kristian
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - James W. Russell
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.C.); (N.N.); (S.Y.); (M.I.A.); (A.F.H.); (Y.K.); (A.K.)
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- CAMC Institute for Academic Medicine, 415 Morris Street Suite 300, Charleston, WV 25301, USA
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Poddar S, Mondal H, Podder I. Aetiology, pathogenesis and management of neuropathic itch: A narrative review with recent updates. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2024; 90:5-18. [PMID: 37317726 DOI: 10.25259/ijdvl_846_2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic itch is a relatively common yet under-reported cause of systemic pruritus. It is a debilitating condition often associated with pain, which impairs the patient's quality of life. Although much literature exists about renal and hepatic pruritus, there is a dearth of information and awareness about neuropathic itch. The pathogenesis of neuropathic itch is complex and can result from an insult at any point along the itch pathway, ranging from the peripheral receptors and nerves until the brain. There are several causes of neuropathic itch, many of which do not produce any skin lesions and are thus, often missed. A detailed history and clinical examination are necessary for the diagnosis, while laboratory and radiologic investigations may be needed in select cases. Several therapeutic strategies currently exist involving both non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures, the latter including topical, systemic, and invasive options. Further research is ongoing to clarify its pathogenesis and to design newer targeted therapies with minimal adverse effects. This narrative review highlights the current understanding of this condition, focusing on its causes, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management, along with newer investigational drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Poddar
- Department of Dermatology, Asansol District Hospital, Asansol, West Bengal, India
| | - Himel Mondal
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Deoghar, Jharkhand, India
| | - Indrashis Podder
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Ozdag Acarli AN, Tuzun E, Sanli E, Koral G, Akbayir E, Cakar A, Sirin NG, Soysal A, Aysal F, Durmus H, Parman Y, Yilmaz V. Disease activity in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: association between circulating B-cell subsets, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes. Clin Exp Immunol 2024; 215:65-78. [PMID: 37638717 PMCID: PMC10776240 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a common and treatable autoimmune neuropathy, is frequently misdiagnosed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between immunological markers and clinical outcome measures in a mixed cohort of patients with typical CIDP and CIDP variants at different disease stages. Twenty-three typical, 16 multifocal and five distal CIDP patients were included. Twenty-five sex and age-matched healthy controls and 12 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) disease served as controls. Peripheral B-cell populations were analyzed by flow cytometry. IL6, IL10, TNFA mRNA and mir-21, mir-146a, and mir-155-5p expression levels were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and/or skin biopsy specimens. Results were then assessed for a possible association with clinical disability scores and intraepidermal nerve fiber densities (IENFD) in the distal leg. We detected a significant reduction in naive B cells (P ≤ 0.001), plasma cells (P ≤ 0.001) and regulatory B cells (P < 0.05), and an elevation in switched memory B cells (P ≤ 0.001) in CIDP compared to healthy controls. CMT1A and CIDP patients had comparable B-cell subset distribution. CIDP cases had significantly higher TNFA and IL10 gene expression levels in PBMC compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01, respectively). IENFDs in the distal leg showed a moderate negative correlation with switched memory B-cell ratios (r = -0.51, P < 0.05) and a moderate positive correlation with plasma cell ratios (r = 0.46, P < 0.05). INCAT sum scores showed a moderate positive correlation with IL6 gene expression levels in PBMC (r = 0.54, P < 0.05). Altered B-cell homeostasis and IL10 and TNFA gene expression levels imply chronic antigen exposure and overactivity in the humoral immune system, and seem to be a common pathological pathway in both typical CIDP and CIDP variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Nur Ozdag Acarli
- Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erdem Tuzun
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Elif Sanli
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gizem Koral
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ece Akbayir
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Arman Cakar
- Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nermin Gorkem Sirin
- Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Neurology, Bakirkoy Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysun Soysal
- Department of Neurology, Bakirkoy Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fikret Aysal
- Department of Neurology, Bakirkoy Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hacer Durmus
- Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yesim Parman
- Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Vuslat Yilmaz
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Aziz N, Dash B, Wal P, Kumari P, Joshi P, Wal A. New Horizons in Diabetic Neuropathies: An Updated Review on their Pathology, Diagnosis, Mechanism, Screening Techniques, Pharmacological, and Future Approaches. Curr Diabetes Rev 2024; 20:e201023222416. [PMID: 37867268 DOI: 10.2174/0115733998242299231011181615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the largest problems for global public health is diabetes mellitus (DM) and its micro and macrovascular consequences. Although prevention, diagnosis, and treatment have generally improved, its incidence is predicted to keep rising over the coming years. Due to the intricacy of the molecular mechanisms, which include inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis, among others, discovering treatments to stop or slow the course of diabetic complications is still a current unmet need. METHODS The pathogenesis and development of diabetic neuropathies may be explained by a wide variety of molecular pathways, hexosamine pathways, such as MAPK pathway, PARP pathway, oxidative stress pathway polyol (sorbitol) pathway, cyclooxygenase pathway, and lipoxygenase pathway. Although diabetic neuropathies can be treated symptomatically, there are limited options for treating the underlying cause. RESULT Various pathways and screening models involved in diabetic neuropathies are discussed, along with their possible outcomes. Moreover, both medicinal and non-medical approaches to therapy are also explored. CONCLUSION This study highlights the probable involvement of several processes and pathways in the establishment of diabetic neuropathies and presents in-depth knowledge of new therapeutic approaches intended to stop, delay, or reverse different types of diabetic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namra Aziz
- Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), Bhauti, Kanpur 209305, UP, India
| | - Biswajit Dash
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Medical Sciences, ADAMAS University, Kolkata 700 126, West Bengal, India
| | - Pranay Wal
- Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), Bhauti, Kanpur 209305, UP, India
| | - Prachi Kumari
- Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), Bhauti, Kanpur 209305, UP, India
| | - Poonam Joshi
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ankita Wal
- Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), Bhauti, Kanpur 209305, UP, India
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Falco P, Galosi E, Di Stefano G, Leone C, Di Pietro G, Tramontana L, De Stefano G, Litewczuk D, Esposito N, Truini A. Autonomic Small-Fiber Pathology in Patients With Fibromyalgia. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:64-72. [PMID: 37524221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
In this clinical and skin biopsy study, we aimed to investigate whether fibromyalgia-associated small-fiber pathology (SFP), consisting of an intraepidermal nerve fiber loss, implies damage of dermal autonomic nerve fibers and how this damage is associated with autonomic symptoms that patients with fibromyalgia syndrome experience. Using skin biopsy, we investigated intraepidermal nerve fiber density, piloerector muscle, and sweat gland nerve fiber density (SGNFD) in 138 participants, that is, 58 patients with fibromyalgia syndrome, 48 healthy subjects, and 32 patients with small-fiber neuropathy. In patients with fibromyalgia-associated SFP, we also investigated how the different skin biopsy variables correlated with autonomic symptoms, as assessed with the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 questionnaire. We found that in patients with fibromyalgia-associated SFP, the piloerector muscle and SGNFD were lower than that in healthy subjects. However, the autonomic small-fiber damage had no correlation with autonomic symptoms severity. In patients with SFP, the intraepidermal, piloerector muscle, and SGNFD were higher than that in patients with small-fiber neuropathy. Our clinical and skin biopsy study shows that patients with fibromyalgia have a reduction of dermal autonomic small fibers paralleling the intraepidermal nerve fiber loss, thus indicating that SFP also implies autonomic small nerve fiber damage. However, the autonomic small-fiber damage we found had no correlation with the severity of autonomic symptoms, and thus its clinical impact is still undetermined. PERSPECTIVE: In patients with fibromyalgia, SFP also affects autonomic fibers. These novel data provide additional insights into the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia syndrome, highlighting the complex role of small-fiber damage in the clinical picture of fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Falco
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Galosi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Leone
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Litewczuk
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Truini
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Boyken J, Lohrke J, Treu A, Neddens J, Jost G, Ulbrich HF, Balzer T, Frenzel T, Prokesch M, Thuss U, Pietsch H. Gadolinium Presence in Rat Skin: Assessment of Histopathologic Changes Associated with Small Fiber Neuropathy. Radiology 2024; 310:e231984. [PMID: 38226877 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.231984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Background The presence of gadolinium traces in the skin after administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) raised safety concerns regarding a potential association with small fiber neuropathy (SFN). Purpose To investigate signs of SFN in rat foot pads by quantification of the intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) after multiple GBCA administrations and to evaluate gadolinium concentration, chemical species, and clearance. Materials and Methods Fifty rats received eight intravenous injections of either gadodiamide, gadobutrol, gadoterate, gadoteridol (8 × 0.6 mmol per kilogram of body weight), or saline (1.2 mL per kilogram of body weight), within 2 weeks and were sacrificed 5 days or 5 weeks after the last injection. IENFD was determined with protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 immunofluorescent staining and blinded and automated image analysis. The gadolinium and GBCA concentrations were measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), laser ablation ICP-MS, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI). P values were calculated using linear contrasts of model analysis. Results The IENFD (measured as geometric mean [SD] and in number of nerve fibers per millimeter of epidermis) was not significantly altered after 5 days (saline, 8.4 [1.1]; gadobutrol, 9.7 [1.2]; gadoterate, 9.2 [1.2]; gadoteridol, 9.9 [1.3]; gadodiamide, 10.5 [1.2]) or 5 weeks (saline, 19.7 [1.4]; gadobutrol, 16.4 [1.6]; gadoterate, 14.3 [1.6]; gadoteridol, 22.2 [1.8]; gadodiamide, 17.9 [1.4]). Gadolinium skin concentrations were highest for gadodiamide after 5 days (16.0 nmol/g [1.1]) and 5 weeks (10.6 nmol/g [1.2], -33%). Macrocyclic agents were lower at 5 days (gadoteridol, 2.6 nmol/g [1.2]; gadobutrol, 2.7 nmol/g [1.1]; and gadoterate, 2.3 nmol/g [1.2]) and efficiently cleared after 5 weeks (gadoteridol, -95%; gadobutrol and gadoterate, -96%). The distribution of gadolinium and IENF did not visually overlap. For macrocyclic agents, gadolinium was found in sweat glands and confirmed to be intact chelate. Conclusion There were no signs of SFN in rat foot pads using multiple dosing regimens at two time points after administration of GBCAs. Macrocyclic GBCAs exhibited lower levels of gadolinium in the skin and were effectively eliminated within 5 weeks compared with linear gadodiamide, and intact macrocyclic GBCA was detected in sweat glands. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Clement in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Boyken
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Jessica Lohrke
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Axel Treu
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Joerg Neddens
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Gregor Jost
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Hannes-Friedrich Ulbrich
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Thomas Balzer
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Thomas Frenzel
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Manuela Prokesch
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Uwe Thuss
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
| | - Hubertus Pietsch
- From the Department of MR and CT Contrast Media Research (J.B., J.L., G.J., T.F., H.P.) and Research and Pre-Clinical Statistics Group (H.F.U.), Bayer, Müllerstraße 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of In Vivo/Radioanalytics (A.T.) and Department of Bioanalytics LC-MS 3 & MALDI (U.T.), Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Neuropharmacology, QPS Austria, Grambach, Austria (J.N., M.P.); and External Corporate Employment Resources, Bayer U.S., Whippany, NJ (T.B.)
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Silsby M, Feldman EL, Dortch RD, Roth A, Haroutounian S, Rajabally YA, Vucic S, Shy ME, Oaklander AL, Simon NG. Advances in diagnosis and management of distal sensory polyneuropathies. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:1025-1039. [PMID: 36997315 PMCID: PMC10544692 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-328489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is characterised by length-dependent, sensory-predominant symptoms and signs, including potentially disabling symmetric chronic pain, tingling and poor balance. Some patients also have or develop dysautonomia or motor involvement depending on whether large myelinated or small fibres are predominantly affected. Although highly prevalent, diagnosis and management can be challenging. While classic diabetes and toxic causes are well-recognised, there are increasingly diverse associations, including with dysimmune, rheumatological and neurodegenerative conditions. Approximately half of cases are initially considered idiopathic despite thorough evaluation, but often, the causes emerge later as new symptoms develop or testing advances, for instance with genetic approaches. Improving and standardising DSP metrics, as already accomplished for motor neuropathies, would permit in-clinic longitudinal tracking of natural history and treatment responses. Standardising phenotyping could advance research and facilitate trials of potential therapies, which lag so far. This review updates on recent advances and summarises current evidence for specific treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Silsby
- Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Richard D Dortch
- Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Alison Roth
- Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Simon Haroutounian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yusuf A Rajabally
- Inflammatory Neuropathy Clinic, Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Birmingham, Aston Medical School, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael E Shy
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Nerve Unit, Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Neil G Simon
- Northern Beaches Clinical School, Macquarie University, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales, Australia
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Koetsier E, Vacchi E, Maino P, Dukanac J, Melli G, van Kuijk SMJ. Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation in Chronic Painful Polyneuropathy: A Potential Modulator for Small Nerve Fiber Regeneration. Neuromodulation 2023; 26:1772-1780. [PMID: 36192280 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neuromodulatory treatments like spinal cord stimulation and dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) have emerged as effective treatments to relieve pain in painful polyneuropathy. Animal studies have demonstrated that neurostimulation can enhance nerve regeneration. This study aimed to investigate if DRGS may impact intraepidermal nerve fiber regeneration and sensory nerve function. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine patients with chronic, intractable painful polyneuropathy were recruited. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) quantification in 3 mm punch skin biopsy was performed 1 month before DRGS (placed at the level of the L5 and S1 dorsal root ganglion) and after 12- and 24-month follow-up. Quantitative sensory testing, nerve conduction studies, and a clinical scale score were also performed at the same time points. RESULTS In 7 of 9 patients, DRGS was successful (defined as a reduction of ≥ 50% in daytime and/or night-time pain intensity), allowing a definitive implantable pulse generator implantation. The median baseline IENFD among these 7 patients was 1.6 fibers/mm (first and third quartile: 1.2; 4.3) and increased to 2.6 fibers/mm (2.5; 2.9) and 1.9 fibers/mm (1.6; 2.4) at 1- and 2-years follow-up, respectively. These changes were not statistically significant (p = 1.000 and 0.375). Sensory nerve tests did not show substantial changes. CONCLUSIONS Although not significant, the results of this study showed that in most of the patients with implants, there was a slight increase of the IENFD at the 1- and 2-year follow-up. Larger-scale clinical trials are warranted to explore the possible role of DRGS in reversing the progressive neurodegeneration over time. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION The Clinicaltrials.gov registration number for the study is NCT02435004; Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal: SNCTP000001376.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Koetsier
- Pain Management Center, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Elena Vacchi
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland; Laboratories for Translational Research, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Maino
- Pain Management Center, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Jasmina Dukanac
- Pain Management Center, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Giorgia Melli
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland; Laboratories for Translational Research, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Neurology Department, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Sander M J van Kuijk
- Pain Management Center, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Machado-Costa MC, Mitne-Neto M, Costa LHD, Alves LM, Oliveira ASB, Zatz M, Silva HCA. Small-fibre Neuropathy in Patients with Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Type 8. Can J Neurol Sci 2023; 50:885-890. [PMID: 36457144 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2022.331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that primarily affects motor neurons. ALS type 8 (ALS8) is a familiar form with predominant involvement of lower motor neurons, tremor, and slow progression. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe sensory involvement in a cohort of ALS8 patients and compare it with the characteristics of sporadic ALS (sALS) patients and controls. METHODS We compared data from 40 ALS8 and 10 sALS patients assessed by neurological evaluation and electrophysiological study. Skin biopsies were performed in these patients and 12 controls for analysis of intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density by protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The ALS8 group was younger than the sALS group at the onset of symptoms (p < 0.05) and had a longer disease evolution (p < 0.01). Sensory abnormalities were evident in 35% of the ALS8 and 30% of the sALS patients by neurological examination, and all ALS patients presented normal sensory nerve action potentials. Despite being similar in the ALS8 and sALS groups, IENF density in the ALS8 group was lower than that in the controls (p < 0.0005). In the ALS8 group, IENF density was significantly lower in patients with impairment of vibratory sensation than in those without this finding (p < 0.05) and in females than in males (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Sensory impairment and decreased IENF density are present in ALS8 patients at a frequency and intensity similar to that in the sALS group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel Mitne-Neto
- Department of Research and Development, Fleury Group, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Moura Alves
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Acary Souza Bulle Oliveira
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Human Genome and Research Centre, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helga Cristina Almeida Silva
- Discipline of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Lucarini E, Micheli L, Rajagopalan R, Ciampi C, Branca JJ, Pacini A, Leandri M, Rajagopalan P, Ghelardini C, Di Cesare Mannelli L. Broad-spectrum neuroprotection exerted by DDD-028 in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Pain 2023; 164:2581-2595. [PMID: 37556385 PMCID: PMC10578426 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neurotoxicity of chemotherapeutics involves peculiar alterations in the structure and function, including abnormal nerve signal transmission, of both the peripheral and central nervous system. The lack of effective pharmacological approaches to prevent chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity necessitates the identification of innovative therapies. Recent evidence suggests that repeated treatment with the pentacyclic pyridoindole derivative DDD-028 can exert both pain-relieving and glial modulatory effects in mice with paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. This work is aimed at assessing whether DDD-028 is a disease-modifying agent by protecting the peripheral nervous tissues from chemotherapy-induced damage. Neuropathy was induced in animals by paclitaxel injection (2.0 mg kg -1 i.p). DDD-028 (10 mg kg -1 ) and the reference drug, pregabalin (30 mg kg -1 ), were administered per os daily starting concomitantly with the first injection of paclitaxel and continuing 10 days after the end of paclitaxel treatment. The behavioural tests confirmed the antihyperalgesic efficacy of DDD-028 on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. Furthermore, the electrophysiological analysis revealed the capacity of DDD-028 to restore near-normal sensory nerve conduction in paclitaxel-treated animals. Histopathology evidence indicated that DDD-028 was able to counteract effectively paclitaxel-induced peripheral neurotoxicity by protecting against the loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers, restoring physiological levels of neurofilament in nerve tissue and plasma, and preventing morphological alterations occurring in the sciatic nerves and dorsal root ganglia. Overall, DDD-028 is more effective than pregabalin in preventing chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. Thus, based on its potent antihyperalgesic and neuroprotective efficacy, DDD-028 seems to be a viable prophylactic medication to limit the development of neuropathies consequent to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lucarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Micheli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Clara Ciampi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jacopo J.V. Branca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pacini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Massimo Leandri
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Leonardi L, Costanzo R, Forcina F, Morino S, Antonini G, Salvetti M, Luigetti M, Romano A, Primiano G, Guglielmino V, Fionda L, Garibaldi M, Lauletta A, Rossini E, Tufano L, Ceccanti M, Esposito N, Falco P, di Pietro G, Truini A, Galosi E. Quantitative sensory testing and skin biopsy findings in late-onset ATTRv presymptomatic carriers: Relationships with predicted time of disease onset (PADO). J Peripher Nerv Syst 2023; 28:390-397. [PMID: 37535421 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) presymptomatic carriers often show preclinical abnormalities at small fiber-related diagnostic tests. However, no validated biomarker is currently available to use for presymptomatic carriers' follow-up, thus helping therapeutic decision making. Our study aimed at assessing nerve conduction study (NCS), quantitative sensory testing (QST), and skin biopsy parameters in a large cohort of late-onset ATTRv presymptomatic carriers and to evaluate whether they correlated with predicted age of disease onset (PADO). METHODS Late-onset ATTRv presymptomatic carriers were consecutively enrolled and underwent NCS, QST, and skin biopsy with intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) evaluation from a distal and a proximal site. Douleur Neuropathique-4 (DN4) and Small Fiber Neuropathy-Symptoms Inventory (SFN-SIQ) were used to assess painful and small fiber neuropathy-related symptoms. PADO and time-to-PADO (delta-PADO) were estimated for each carrier, and correlations with diagnostic test measures were analyzed. RESULTS Forty presymptomatic ATTRv subjects were enrolled. Twenty carriers (50%) had distal IENFD reduction, with a non-length-dependent distribution in 73% of cases. Eleven subjects (27.5%) had cold and/or warm detection threshold (CDT and/or WDT) abnormalities at QST. Delta-PADO positively correlated with sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude (r = .416, p = .004), and z-values of QST parameters like CDT (r = .314, p = .028), WDT (r = -.294, p = .034), and mechanical detection threshold (MDT; r = -.382, p = .012). Simple linear regression models showed a linear relation between delta-PADO and sural SAP, CDT, and MDT. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm that IENFD reduction and QST abnormalities may occur early in ATTRv presymptomatic carriers, often with a non-length-dependent pattern. However, only sural SAP amplitude and QST parameters correlated with delta-PADO, suggesting that serial combined QST and NCS evaluation could be useful in ATTRv presymptomatic carriers' follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Leonardi
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rocco Costanzo
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Forcina
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Morino
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Salvetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Neuromed Institute IRCCS, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Marco Luigetti
- UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Sede di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Romano
- UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Primiano
- UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Guglielmino
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Sede di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Fionda
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Garibaldi
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Lauletta
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Rossini
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Tufano
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ceccanti
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Esposito
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Falco
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe di Pietro
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Truini
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Galosi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Kokotis P, Papantoniou M, Schmelz M, Buntziouka C, Tzavellas E, Paparrigopoulos T. Pure small fiber neuropathy in alcohol dependency detected by skin biopsy. Alcohol 2023; 111:67-73. [PMID: 37295567 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol overconsumption is well known to cause damage to the peripheral nervous system. The aim of this study was the functional and structural evaluation of the small nerve fibers in alcohol-dependent subjects, with or without symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. METHODS Twenty-six consecutive alcohol-dependent subjects treated for detoxification voluntarily in the specialized unit of the Athens University Psychiatric Clinic were enrolled in this prospective study over 18 months. Every subject was assessed by peripheral nerve evaluation using the Neuropathy Symptoms Score (NSS) and Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS), followed by nerve conduction studies (NCS), quantitative sensory testing (QST), and skin biopsy. Twenty-nine normal subjects, age- and gender-matched, constituted the control group. RESULTS Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in 16 subjects (61.5%). Among these 16 subjects, pure large fiber neuropathy (LFN) was found in two subjects (12.5%), pure small fiber neuropathy (SFN) was found in eight subjects (50%), and both large and small fiber neuropathy was diagnosed in six patients (37.5%). The intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) of the patients' skin biopsy was significantly lower than that of the control group. Additionally, QST results showed a statistically significant sensory impairment in the patients. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms small fiber neuropathy due to alcohol abuse with a high prevalence of pure SFN that might have remained undetected without QST and IENFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Kokotis
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Michail Papantoniou
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Martin Schmelz
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, MCTN Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chrysanthi Buntziouka
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Tzavellas
- First Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Paparrigopoulos
- First Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Peters E, Itani M, Kristensen AG, Terkelsen AJ, Krøigård T, Tankisi H, Jensen TS, Finnerup NB, Gylfadottir SS. Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes with and without sensorimotor polyneuropathy. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2023; 28:450-459. [PMID: 37449440 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with diabetes is associated with poor prognosis. We aimed to assess signs of CAN and autonomic symptoms and to investigate the impact of sensorimotor neuropathy on CAN by examining type 2 diabetes patients with (DPN [distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy]) and without distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (noDPN) and healthy controls (HC). Secondarily, we aimed to describe the characteristics of patients with CAN. METHODS A population of 374 subjects from a previously described cohort of the Danish Centre for Strategic Research in Type 2 Diabetes (DD2) were included. Subjects were examined with the Vagus™ device for the diagnosis of CAN, where two or more abnormal cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests indicate definite CAN. Autonomic symptoms were assessed with Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (COMPASS 31) questionnaire. DPN was defined according to the Toronto consensus panel definition. RESULTS Definite CAN was present in 22% with DPN, 7% without DPN and 3% of HC, and 91% of patients with definite CAN had DPN. Patients with DPN and definite CAN reported higher COMPASS 31 scores compared to patients with noDPN (20.0 vs. 8.3, p < 0.001) and no CAN (22.1 vs. 12.3, p = 0.01). CAN was associated with HbA1c and age in a multivariate logistic regression analysis but was not associated with IEFND or triglycerides. INTERPRETATION One in five patients with DPN have CAN and specific CAN characteristics may help identify patients at risk for developing this severe diabetic complication. Autonomic symptoms were strongly associated with having both DPN and CAN, but too unspecific for diagnosing CAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Peters
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mustapha Itani
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Alexander G Kristensen
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Astrid Juhl Terkelsen
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thomas Krøigård
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Hatice Tankisi
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Troels S Jensen
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nanna B Finnerup
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sandra Sif Gylfadottir
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Reynolds EL, Watanabe M, Banerjee M, Chant E, Villegas-Umana E, Elafros MA, Gardner TW, Pop-Busui R, Pennathur S, Feldman EL, Callaghan BC. The effect of surgical weight loss on diabetes complications in individuals with class II/III obesity. Diabetologia 2023; 66:1192-1207. [PMID: 36917280 PMCID: PMC10011764 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-05899-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bariatric surgery on diabetes complications in individuals with class II/III obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m2). METHODS We performed a prospective cohort study of participants with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. At baseline and 2 years following surgery, participants underwent metabolic phenotyping and diabetes complication assessments. The primary outcomes for peripheral neuropathy (PN) were a change in intra-epidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD, units = fibres/mm) at the distal leg and proximal thigh, the primary outcome for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) was a change in the expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratio, and the primary outcome for retinopathy was a change in the mean deviation on frequency doubling technology testing. RESULTS Among 127 baseline participants, 79 completed in-person follow-up (age 46.0 ± 11.3 years [mean ± SD], 73.4% female). Participants lost a mean of 31.0 kg (SD 18.4), and all metabolic risk factors improved except for BP and total cholesterol. Following bariatric surgery, one of the primary PN outcomes improved (IENFD proximal thigh, +3.4 ± 7.8, p<0.01), and CAN (E/I ratio -0.01 ± 0.1, p=0.89) and retinopathy (deviation -0.2 ± 3.0, p=0.52) were stable. Linear regression revealed that a greater reduction in fasting glucose was associated with improvements in retinopathy (mean deviation point estimate -0.7, 95% CI -1.3, -0.1). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Bariatric surgery may be an effective approach to reverse PN in individuals with obesity. The observed stability of CAN and retinopathy may be an improvement compared with the natural progression of these conditions; however, controlled trials are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan L Reynolds
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Maya Watanabe
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mousumi Banerjee
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ericka Chant
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas W Gardner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rodica Pop-Busui
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Subramaniam Pennathur
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brian C Callaghan
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Mihai A, Chitimus DM, Jurcut C, Blajut FC, Opris-Belinski D, Caruntu C, Ionescu R, Caruntu A. Comparative Analysis of Hematological and Immunological Parameters in Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome and Peripheral Neuropathy. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12113672. [PMID: 37297866 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is a multisystem disorder of autoimmune etiology, frequently involving peripheral nerves. Early detection of peripheral neuropathy (PN) manifestations might improve prognosis and disease control. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the predictive potential of hematological and immunological parameters associated with PN development in pSS patients. METHODS This single-center retrospective study included patients with pSS who were divided into two groups, according to the occurrence of neurological manifestations throughout the follow-up period. RESULTS From the total of 121 pSS patients included in the study, 31 (25.61%) developed neurological manifestations (PN+ group) during the follow-up period. At the moment of pSS diagnosis, 80.64% of PN+ patients exhibited increased disease activity, with ESSDAI scores above 14 (p = 0.001), and significantly higher values for VASp score (p = 0.001), with a mean value of 4.90 ± 2.45, compared to 1.27 ± 1.32 in the PN- group. The hematological assessment at the moment of pSS diagnosis revealed that neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly higher in the PN+ group (p = 0.001), while lymphocytes, monocytes and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were significantly lower (p = 0.025, p = 0.13 and p = 0.003, respectively). Immuno-inflammatory parameters-gammaglobulins, complement fractions C3, C4, total proteins and vitamin D were significantly lower in the PN+ patients' group. In multivariate analysis, the independent predictive character for PN development in pSS patients was confirmed for NLR (95% CI 0.033 to 0.263, p = 0.012), MLR (95% CI -1.289 to -0.194, p = 0.008), gammaglobulins (95% CI -0.426 to -0.088, p < 0.003), complement fraction C4 (95% CI -0.018 to -0.001, p < 0.030) and vitamin D (95% CI -0.017 to -0.003, p < 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Readily available and frequently used hematological and immunological markers, such as NLR, MLR, gammaglobulins, C4 and vitamin D could be helpful in predicting the neurological involvement in pSS patients. These biological parameters might become useful tools for clinicians to monitor disease progression and identify potentially severe extraglandular manifestations in pSS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ancuta Mihai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carol Davila Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of General Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Diana Maria Chitimus
- Department of Neurology, Carol Davila Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ciprian Jurcut
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carol Davila Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florin Cristian Blajut
- Department of General Surgery, Carol Davila Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Medical-Surgical Specialties, "Titu Maiorescu" University of Bucharest, 040441 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela Opris-Belinski
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Department, Sfanta Maria Clinical Hospital, 011172 Bucharest, Romania
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Department, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Constantin Caruntu
- Department of Physiology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Prof. N.C. Paulescu National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 011233 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ruxandra Ionescu
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Department, Sfanta Maria Clinical Hospital, 011172 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Caruntu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Carol Davila Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
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Krämer HH, Bücker P, Jeibmann A, Richter H, Rosenbohm A, Jeske J, Baka P, Geber C, Wassenberg M, Fangerau T, Karst U, Schänzer A, van Thriel C. Gadolinium contrast agents: dermal deposits and potential effects on epidermal small nerve fibers. J Neurol 2023:10.1007/s00415-023-11740-z. [PMID: 37138180 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11740-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) affects unmyelinated and thinly myelinated nerve fibers causing neuropathic pain with distal distribution and autonomic symptoms. In idiopathic SFN (iSFN), 30% of the cases, the underlying aetiology remains unknown. Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (GBCA) are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, side-effects including musculoskeletal disorders and burning skin sensations were reported. We investigated if dermal Gd deposits are more prevalent in iSFN patients exposed to GBCAs, and if dermal nerve fiber density and clinical parameters are likewise affected. 28 patients (19 females) with confirmed or no GBCA exposure were recruited in three German neuromuscular centers. ISFN was confirmed by clinical, neurophysiological, laboratory and genetic investigations. Six volunteers (two females) served as controls. Distal leg skin biopsies were obtained according to European recommendations. In these samples Gd was quantified by elemental bioimaging and intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENF) density via immunofluorescence analysis. Pain phenotyping was performed in all patients, quantitative sensory testing (QST) only in a subset (15 patients; 54%). All patients reported neuropathic pain, described as burning (n = 17), jabbing (n = 16) and hot (n = 11) and five QST scores were significantly altered. Compared to an equal distribution significantly more patients reported GBCA exposures (82%), while 18% confirmed no exposures. Compared to unexposed patients/controls significantly increased Gd deposits and lower z-scores of the IENF density were confirmed in exposed patients. QST scores and pain characteristics were not affected. This study suggests that GBCA exposure might alter IENF density in iSFN patients. Our results pave the road for further studies investigating the possible role of GBCA in small fiber damage, but more investigations and larger samples are needed to draw firm conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidrun H Krämer
- Department of Neurology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Patrick Bücker
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Astrid Jeibmann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Henning Richter
- Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging Research Unit (DIRU),Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Johanna Jeske
- Department of Neurology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Panoraia Baka
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, 55101, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Geber
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, 55101, Mainz, Germany
- DRK Pain Center Mainz, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Wassenberg
- Department of Neurology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tanja Fangerau
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Uwe Karst
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Anne Schänzer
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, 44139, Dortmund, Germany.
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Iranzo A, Mammana A, Muñoz-Lopetegi A, Dellavalle S, Mayà G, Rossi M, Serradell M, Baiardi S, Arqueros A, Quadalti C, Perissinotti A, Ruggeri E, Cano JS, Gaig C, Parchi P. Misfolded α-Synuclein Assessment in the Skin and CSF by RT-QuIC in Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. Neurology 2023; 100:e1944-e1954. [PMID: 36931726 PMCID: PMC10159765 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay detects misfolded α-synuclein (AS) in the skin and CSF of patients with the synucleinopathies Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (IRBD) constitutes the prodromal stage of these synucleinopathies. We aimed to compare the ability of RT-QuIC to identify AS in the skin and CSF of patients with IRBD. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study where consecutive patients with polysomnographic-confirmed IRBD and age-matched controls without RBD underwent skin biopsy and lumbar puncture the same day. Three-millimeter skin punch biopsies were obtained bilaterally in the cervical region from dorsal C7 and C8 dermatomes and in distal legs. RT-QuIC assessed AS in these 6 skin sites and the CSF. RESULTS We recruited 91 patients with IRBD and 41 controls. In the skin, sensitivity to detect AS was 76.9% (95% CI 66.9-85.1), specificity 97.6% (95% CI 87.1-99.9) positive predictive value 98.6% (95% CI 91.0-99.8), negative predictive value 65.6% (95% CI 56.6-73.6), and accuracy 83.3% (95% CI 75.9-89.3). In the CSF, the sensitivity was 75.0% (95% CI 64.6-83.6), the specificity was 97.5% (95% CI 86.8-99.9), the positive predictive value was 98.5% (95% CI 90.5-99.8), the negative predictive value was 63.9% (95% CI 55.2-71.9), and the accuracy was 82.0% (95% CI 74.3-88.3). Results in the skin and CSF samples showed 99.2% agreement. Compared with negative patients, RT-QuIC AS-positive patients had a higher likelihood ratio of prodromal Parkinson disease (p < 0.001) and showed more frequently hyposmia (p < 0.001), dopamine transporter imaging single-photon emission CT deficit (p = 0.002), and orthostatic hypotension (p = 0.014). No severe or moderate adverse effects were reported. There was no difference between the percentage of participants reporting mild adverse events secondary to skin biopsy or lumbar puncture (9.1% vs 17.2%; p = 0.053). One hundred and ten (83%) and 104 (80%) participants, respectively, stated they would accept to undergo skin biopsy and lumbar puncture again for research purposes. DISCUSSION Our study in IRBD shows that (1) RT-QuIC detects AS in the skin and CSF with similar high sensitivity, specificity, and agreement, (2) AS RT-QuIC positivity is associated with supportive features and biomarkers of synucleinopathy, and (3) skin punch biopsy and lumbar puncture have comparable mild adverse effects, tolerance, and acceptance. RT-QuIC in the skin or CSF might represent a patient selection strategy for future neuroprotective trials targeting AS in IRBD. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that RT-QuIC-detected AS in the skin and CSF distinguishes patients with IRBD from controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Iranzo
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain.
| | - Angela Mammana
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Amaia Muñoz-Lopetegi
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Sofia Dellavalle
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Gerard Mayà
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Marcello Rossi
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Monica Serradell
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Simone Baiardi
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Aurora Arqueros
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Corinne Quadalti
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Andres Perissinotti
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Edoardo Ruggeri
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Joan Santamaria Cano
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Carles Gaig
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Piero Parchi
- From the Neurology Service (A.I., A.M.-L., G.M., M.S., A.A., J.S.C., C.G.), Sleep Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII; IRCCS (A.M., S.D., M.R., S.B., C.Q., E.R., P.P.), Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB); Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (A.M., S.B., P.P.), University of Bologna; and Nuclear Medicine Service (A.P.), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Biomedical Research Networking Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), ISCIII, Spain.
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Thomas S, Enders J, Kaiser A, Rovenstine L, Heslop L, Hauser W, Chadwick A, Wright D. Abnormal intraepidermal nerve fiber density in disease: A scoping review. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1161077. [PMID: 37153658 PMCID: PMC10157176 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1161077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) has become an important biomarker for neuropathy diagnosis and research. The consequences of reduced IENFD can include sensory dysfunction, pain, and a significant decrease in quality of life. We examined the extent to which IENFD is being used as a tool in human and mouse models and compared the degree of fiber loss between diseases to gain a broader understanding of the existing data collected using this common technique. Methods We conducted a scoping review of publications that used IENFD as a biomarker in human and non-human research. PubMed was used to identify 1,004 initial articles that were then screened to select articles that met the criteria for inclusion. Criteria were chosen to standardize publications so they could be compared rigorously and included having a control group, measuring IENFD in a distal limb, and using protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5). Results We analyzed 397 articles and collected information related to publication year, the condition studied, and the percent IENFD loss. The analysis revealed that the use of IENFD as a tool has been increasing in both human and non-human research. We found that IENFD loss is prevalent in many diseases, and metabolic or diabetes-related diseases were the most studied conditions in humans and rodents. Our analysis identified 73 human diseases in which IENFD was affected, with 71 reporting IENFD loss and an overall average IENFD change of -47%. We identified 28 mouse and 21 rat conditions, with average IENFD changes of -31.6% and -34.7%, respectively. Additionally, we present data describing sub-analyses of IENFD loss according to disease characteristics in diabetes and chemotherapy treatments in humans and rodents. Interpretation Reduced IENFD occurs in a surprising number of human disease conditions. Abnormal IENFD contributes to important complications, including poor cutaneous vascularization, sensory dysfunction, and pain. Our analysis informs future rodent studies so they may better mirror human diseases impacted by reduced IENFD, highlights the breadth of diseases impacted by IENFD loss, and urges exploration of common mechanisms that lead to substantial IENFD loss as a complication in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Douglas Wright
- Sensory Nerve Disorder Lab, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
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Gylfadottir SS, Itani M, Kristensen AG, Nyengaard JR, Sindrup SH, Jensen TS, Finnerup NB, Karlsson P. Assessing Corneal Confocal Microscopy and Other Small Fiber Measures in Diabetic Polyneuropathy. Neurology 2023; 100:e1680-e1690. [PMID: 36750383 PMCID: PMC10115507 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000206902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Damage to small nerve fibers is common in diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), and the diagnosis of DPN relies on subjective symptoms and signs in a combination with objective confirmatory tests, typically electrophysiology or intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) from skin biopsy. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) has been introduced as a tool to detect DPN. However, it is unclear if CCM can reliably be used to diagnose DPN and how the technique compares with other commonly used measures of small fiber damage, such as IENFD, cold detection threshold (CDT), and warm detection threshold (WDT). Therefore, we assessed and compared the use of CCM, IENFD, CDT, and WDT in the diagnosis of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this cohort study, the participants underwent detailed neurologic examination, electrophysiology, quantification of IENFD, CCM, and quantitative sensory testing. Definition of DPN was made in accordance with the Toronto criteria for diabetic neuropathy (without relying on IENFD and thermal thresholds). RESULTS A total of 214 patients with at least probable DPN, 63 patients without DPN, and 97 controls without diabetes were included. Patients with DPN had lower CCM measures (corneal nerve fiber length [CNFL], nerve fiber density, and branch density), IENFD, CDT, and WDT compared with patients without DPN (p ≤ 0.001, <0.001, 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.003, and <0.005, respectively), whereas there was no difference between controls and patients with diabetes without DPN. All 3 CCM measures showed a very low diagnostic sensitivity with CNFL showing the highest (14.4% [95% CI 9.8-18.4]) and a specificity of 95.7% (88.0-99.1). In comparison, the sensitivity of abnormal CDT and/or WDT was 30.5% (24.4-37.0) with a specificity of 84.9% (74.6-92.2). The sensitivity of abnormal IENFD was highest among all measures with a value of 51.1% (43.7-58.5) and a specificity of 90% (79.5-96.2). CCM measures did not correlate with IENFD, CDT/WDT, or neuropathy severity in the group of patients with DPN. DISCUSSION CCM measures showed the lowest sensitivity compared with other small fiber measures in the diagnosis of DPN. This indicates that CCM is not a sensitive method to detect DPN in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that CCM measures aid in the detection of DPN in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetics but with a low sensitivity when compared with other small fiber measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra S Gylfadottir
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Mustapha Itani
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Alexander G Kristensen
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Jens R Nyengaard
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Søren Hein Sindrup
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Troels S Jensen
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Nanna B Finnerup
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Pall Karlsson
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
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De Souza JM, Trevisan TJ, Sepresse SR, Londe AC, França Júnior MC, Appenzeller S. Peripheral Neuropathy in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases-Diagnosis and Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040587. [PMID: 37111344 PMCID: PMC10141986 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is frequently observed in systemic rheumatic diseases and is a challenge in clinical practice. We aimed to review the evidence on the subject and proposed a comprehensive approach to these patients, facilitating diagnosis and management. We searched the MEDLINE database for the terms (and its respective Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms): "peripheral neuropathy" AND "rheumatic diseases" OR "systemic lupus erythematosus", "rheumatoid arthritis", "Sjogren syndrome", and "vasculitis" from 2000 to 2023. This literature review focuses on the diagnostic workup of PNs related to systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic vasculitis. For every type of PN, we provide a pragmatic flowchart for diagnosis and also describe evidence-based strategies of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Marcos De Souza
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083881, Brazil
| | - Thiago Junqueira Trevisan
- Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Traumatology, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas 13084971, Brazil
| | - Samara Rosa Sepresse
- Autoimmunity Laboratory, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083881, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083881, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Londe
- Autoimmunity Laboratory, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083881, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Physiopathology, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083881, Brazil
| | | | - Simone Appenzeller
- Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Traumatology, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas 13084971, Brazil
- Autoimmunity Laboratory, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083881, Brazil
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Gibbons C, Wang N, Rajan S, Kern D, Palma JA, Kaufmann H, Freeman R. Cutaneous α-Synuclein Signatures in Patients With Multiple System Atrophy and Parkinson Disease. Neurology 2023; 100:e1529-e1539. [PMID: 36657992 PMCID: PMC10103107 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000206772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein in the nervous system. Clinical features include autonomic and motor dysfunction, which overlap with those of Parkinson disease (PD), particularly at early disease stages. There is an unmet need for accurate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for MSA and, specifically, a critical need to distinguish MSA from other synucleinopathies, particularly PD. The purpose of the study was to develop a unique cutaneous pathologic signature of phosphorylated α-synuclein that could distinguish patients with MSA from patients with PD and healthy controls. METHODS We studied 31 patients with MSA and 54 patients with PD diagnosed according to current clinical consensus criteria. We also included 24 matched controls. All participants underwent neurologic examinations, autonomic testing, and skin biopsies at 3 locations. The density of intraepidermal, sudomotor, and pilomotor nerve fibers was measured. The deposition of phosphorylated α-synuclein was quantified. Results were compared with clinical rating assessments and autonomic function test results. RESULTS Patients with PD had reduced nerve fiber densities compared with patients with MSA (p < 0.05, all fiber types). All patients with MSA and 51/54 with PD had evidence of phosphorylated α-synuclein in at least one skin biopsy. No phosphorylated α-synuclein was detected in controls. Patients with MSA had greater phosphorylated α-synuclein deposition (p < 0.0001) and more widespread peripheral distribution (p < 0.0001) than patients with PD. These results provided >90% sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between the 2 disorders. DISCUSSION α-synuclein is present in the peripheral autonomic nerves of patients with MSA and when combined with synuclein distribution accurately distinguishes MSA from PD. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class II evidence that measurement of phosphorylated α-synuclein in skin biopsies can differentiate patients with MSA from those with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Gibbons
- From the Department of Neurology (C.G., N.W., R.F.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pathology (S.R.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (D.K.), University of Colorado, Aurora, CO; and Department of Neurology (J.-A.P., H.K.), NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Ningshan Wang
- From the Department of Neurology (C.G., N.W., R.F.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pathology (S.R.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (D.K.), University of Colorado, Aurora, CO; and Department of Neurology (J.-A.P., H.K.), NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Sharika Rajan
- From the Department of Neurology (C.G., N.W., R.F.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pathology (S.R.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (D.K.), University of Colorado, Aurora, CO; and Department of Neurology (J.-A.P., H.K.), NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Drew Kern
- From the Department of Neurology (C.G., N.W., R.F.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pathology (S.R.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (D.K.), University of Colorado, Aurora, CO; and Department of Neurology (J.-A.P., H.K.), NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Jose-Alberto Palma
- From the Department of Neurology (C.G., N.W., R.F.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pathology (S.R.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (D.K.), University of Colorado, Aurora, CO; and Department of Neurology (J.-A.P., H.K.), NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Horacio Kaufmann
- From the Department of Neurology (C.G., N.W., R.F.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pathology (S.R.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (D.K.), University of Colorado, Aurora, CO; and Department of Neurology (J.-A.P., H.K.), NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Roy Freeman
- From the Department of Neurology (C.G., N.W., R.F.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pathology (S.R.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (D.K.), University of Colorado, Aurora, CO; and Department of Neurology (J.-A.P., H.K.), NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY.
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Chan ACY, Kumar S, Tan G, Wong HY, Ong JJY, Chandra B, Huang H, Sharma VK, Lai PS. Expanding the genetic causes of small-fiber neuropathy: SCN genes and beyond. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:259-271. [PMID: 36448457 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a disorder that exclusively affects the small nerve fibers, sparing the large nerve fibers. Thinly myelinated Aδ-fibers and unmyelinated C-fibers are damaged, leading to development of neuropathic pain, thermal dysfunction, sensory symptoms, and autonomic disturbances. Although many SFNs are secondary and due to immunological causes or metabolic disturbances, the etiology is unknown in up to half of the patients. Over the years, this proportion of "idiopathic SFN" has decreased, as familial and genetic causes have been discovered, thus shifting a proportion of once "idiopathic" cases to the genetic category. After the discovery of SCN9A-gene variants in 2012, SCN10A and SCN11A variants have been found to be pathogenic in SFN. With improved accessibility of SFN diagnostic tools and genetic tests, many non-SCN variants and genetically inherited systemic diseases involving the small nerve fibers have also been described, but only scattered throughout the literature. There are 80 SCN variants described as causing SFN, 8 genes causing hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathies (HSAN) described with pure SFN, and at least 7 genes involved in genetically inherited systemic diseases associated with SFN. This systematic review aims to consolidate and provide an updated overview on the genetic variants of SFN to date---SCN genes and beyond. Awareness of these genetic causes of SFN is imperative for providing treatment directions, prognostication, and management of expectations for patients and their health-care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C Y Chan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shivaram Kumar
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grace Tan
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hiu Yi Wong
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jonathan J Y Ong
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bharatendu Chandra
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Hua Huang
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vijay Kumar Sharma
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Poh San Lai
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Adjunct Faculty, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Bekircan-Kurt CE, Jahanroshan J, Tuncer A, Ergul-Ulger Z, Gunes G, Erdem-Ozdamar S, Tan E. The evaluation of small fibers in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 72:104602. [PMID: 36889099 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysesthetic or ongoing extremity pain is a common symptom in all multiple sclerosis (MS) types. Although the pathology of the disease is the demyelination of central neurons, the patients may also complain of neuropathic pain in distal extremities that is generally related to A-delta and C fiber dysfunction. It is not known whether thinly myelinated and unmyelinated fibers are affected in MS patients. We aim to investigate the small fiber loss and its length dependency. METHODS We evaluated the skin biopsy taken from proximal and distal leg of MS patients with neuropathic pain. Six patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS), seven with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), seven with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and as a control group ten age and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Neurological examination, electrophysiological evaluation and DN4 questionnaire were performed. Subsequently, skin punch biopsy from 10 cm above the lateral malleolus and proximal thigh were done. The biopsy samples were stained with PGP9.5 antibody and intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) was determined. RESULTS The mean proximal IENFD was 8.58±3.58 fibers/mm among MS patients and 14.72±2.89 fiber/mm among healthy controls (p=0.001). However, the mean distal IENFD did not differ between MS patients and healthy controls (9.26±3.24 and 9.75±1.6 fiber/mm respectively. Although proximal and distal IENFD tends to be lower in MS patients with neuropathic pain, there was no statistically significant difference between MS patients with and without neuropathic pain CONCLUSION: Although MS is a demyelinating disease, unmyelinated fibers can also be affected. Our findings suggest non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy in MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Ebru Bekircan-Kurt
- Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Laboratory, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Javid Jahanroshan
- Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Asli Tuncer
- Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Ergul-Ulger
- Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Laboratory, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gursel Gunes
- Department of Hematology, University of Health Sciences Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sevim Erdem-Ozdamar
- Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Laboratory, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ersin Tan
- Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Laboratory, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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