Ectopic impulse generation and autoexcitation in single myelinated afferent fibers in patients with peripheral neuropathy and positive sensory symptoms.
Microneurographic studies were performed using cutaneous nerves of 8 patients with documented peripheral neuropathy who expressed positive sensory symptoms. Intraneural recordings in single myelinated fibers revealed: (i) ectopic generation of bursts of spontaneous action potentials; (ii) ectopic generation of ongoing repetitive discharges transiently interrupted by natural stimulation of the receptive field; and (iii) repetitive discharges triggered by a preceding action potential. These results provide direct evidence of a peripheral pathophysiological basis for spontaneous and stimulus-induced paresthesias and dysesthesias in patients with peripheral neuropathy.
Campero
M
M
Neuromuscular Unit, Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center and Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97210, USA.
Serra
J
J
Marchettini
P
P
Ochoa
J L
JL
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000502:physiology*; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation