C-fiber axon reflex flare size correlates with epidermal nerve fiber density in human skin biopsies.
The size of the neurogenic axon reflex flare (ARFS) has been proposed to serve as a non-invasive measure of C-fiber neuropathies. This idea is based on the observation that ARFS is often reduced in patients with small-fiber neuropathies. In this study, we compared ARFS and electrically evoked axon reflex sweating with intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENF) in patients with peripheral neuropathy in order to validate these methods against an objective standard method of diagnosing small-fiber neuropathy. ARFS was significantly correlated with IENF, while axon reflex sweating was not correlated to IENF. We conclude that measurement of ARFS is a potential objective non-invasive diagnostic tool for analysis of C-fiber function in patients with small-fiber neuropathies.
Bickel
Andreas
A
Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Heyer
Gisela
G
Senger
Christine
C
Maihöfner
Christian
C
Maihoefner
Christian
C
Heuss
Dieter
D
Hilz
Max J
MJ
Namer
Barbara
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D001706:Biopsy; D020405:Dermis / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004817:Epidermis / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000502:physiology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology*