An electrophysiological method to assess the distribution of the sensory propagation velocity of the digital nerve in normal and diabetic subjects.
We report a new computer-assisted collision method to evaluate sensory conduction velocity (SCV) distribution in the digital nerve of the middle finger in normal subjects and in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects without any neurological impairment. Distribution curves were monomodally shaped in controls, indicating a greater proportion of fibers with relatively slow conduction velocity and a lesser proportion of fibers with faster velocity. In most diabetic nerves, a monomodal trend of the SCV distribution indicated a definite reduction in high and intermediate SCV. In a small proportion of nerves, the SCV distribution tended to be bimodal, with an absolute maximum corresponding to lower velocities and a relative maximum to intermediate-fast velocities. Slowing of the intermediate velocity, or loss of fibers of intermediate velocity, can be hypothesized to represent the early electrical evidence of a subclinical polyneuropathy in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects.
Caccia
M R
MR
Clinica Neurologica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Salvaggio
A
A
Dezuanni
E
E
Osio
M
M
Bevilacqua
M
M
Norbiato
G
G
Mangoni
A
A
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted