title: Nerve conduction studies in multiple system atrophy.
abstract: To study the frequency and severity of peripheral neuropathy in multiple system atrophy (MSA), we performed nerve conduction studies in 42 MSA patients suffering from either cerebellar MSA (MSA-C) or parkinsonian MSA (MSA-P). Abnormal nerve conduction was present in 24% of the patients. Abnormalities were significantly more frequent in MSA-P (43%) compared to MSA-C (14%). Motor nerve conduction velocities were reduced in 4% of the MSA-C and in 7% of the MSA-P patients. Abnormal compound muscle action potentials were more frequent in MSA-P (29% versus 7% in MSA-C) pointing to a more pronounced loss of motor axons in this subgroup. Sensory nerve conduction velocities were abnormal in 4% of the MSA-C and 14% of the MSA-P patients, and mean sensory nerve action potentials were normal in all MSA-C and reduced in 7% of the MSA-P patients. The data provide evidence that the peripheral nervous system is differentially affected in MSA-C and MSA-P.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Germany. michael.abele@uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abele
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bürk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Topka
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dichgans
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klockgether
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors