title: Polyneuropathies associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathies.
abstract: We studied ten patients with IgM monoclonal gammopathies. Five had M proteins that reacted with myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and five had no recognizable antinerve activity. The neuropathy in the MAG-reactive patients was homogeneous by clinical and laboratory analysis, while the neuropathy in the MAG-nonreactive patients varied considerably. Both groups responded well to immunosuppressive therapy, which lowered the concentration of the serum M protein. The homogeneity of the MAG-reactive patients and their response to sustained lowering of the M protein levels support the concept that the IgM M protein directly damages nerve fibers and is the proximate cause of the polyneuropathy.
authors: Department of Neurology, Tufts Medical School, Boston.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Kelly
authors: L S
authors: LS
authors: Adelman
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Berkman
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Bhan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein