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Morelli L, Serra L, Ricciardiello F, Gligora I, Donadio V, Caprini M, Liguori R, Giannoccaro MP. The role of antibodies in small fiber neuropathy: a review of currently available evidence. Rev Neurosci 2024; 0:revneuro-2024-0027. [PMID: 38865989 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2024-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a peripheral nerve condition affecting thin myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C-fibers, characterized by severe neuropathic pain and other sensory and autonomic symptoms. A variety of medical disorders can cause SFN; however, more than 50% of cases are idiopathic (iSFN). Some investigations suggest an autoimmune etiology, backed by evidence of the efficacy of IVIG and plasma exchange. Several studies suggest that autoantibodies directed against nervous system antigens may play a role in the development of neuropathic pain. For instance, patients with CASPR2 and LGI1 antibodies often complain of pain, and in vitro and in vivo studies support their pathogenicity. Other antibodies have been associated with SFN, including those against TS-HDS, FGFR3, and Plexin-D1, and new potential targets have been proposed. Finally, a few studies reported the onset of SFN after COVID-19 infection and vaccination, investigating the presence of potential antibody targets. Despite these overall findings, the pathogenic role has been demonstrated only for some autoantibodies, and the association with specific clinical phenotypes or response to immunotherapy remains to be clarified. The purpose of this review is to summarise known autoantibody targets involved in neuropathic pain, putative attractive autoantibody targets in iSFN patients, their potential as biomarkers of response to immunotherapy and their role in the development of iSFN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Morelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Serra
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fortuna Ricciardiello
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Gligora
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Donadio
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Caprini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Laboratory of Human and General Physiology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato, 19/2 - 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rocco Liguori
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Giannoccaro
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Altura, 3 - 40139, Bologna, Italy
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Igharo D, Thiel JC, Rolke R, Akkaya M, Weis J, Katona I, Schulz JB, Maier A. Skin biopsy reveals generalized small fibre neuropathy in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:719-728. [PMID: 36437696 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are hereditary disorders of connective tissue that are characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and tissue fragility. The most common subtype is the hypermobile type. In addition to symptoms of small fibre neuropathy (SFN) due to damage to the small peripheral nerve fibres, with degeneration of the distal nerve endings, autonomic disorders such as postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) are frequently reported features in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). To date, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are still not completely understood. STUDY PURPOSE To better understand pathophysiological mechanisms of small fiber neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. METHODS We prospectively investigated 31 patients with hEDS compared to 31 healthy controls by using skin biopsy, quantitative sensory testing, tilt-table testing, the painDetect, Small Fibre Neuropathy Screening List and the COMPASS-31 (Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31) questionnaire. RESULTS Nineteen (61%) patients with hEDS were diagnosed with SFN, and 10 (32%) fulfilled the criteria for PoTS. Patients with hEDS had significantly higher heart rates than controls. According to quantitative sensory testing, these patients had generalized thermal and tactile hypesthesia. Skin biopsy revealed significantly reduced intraepithelial nerve fibre density proximally (thigh) and distally (lower leg) in patients compared to controls. This was consistent with various complaints of pain and sensory disturbances in both the proximal and distal body regions. CONCLUSION These results confirm histologically proven SFN as a common feature in patients with hEDS, revealing a generalized distribution of nerve fibre loss. Regarding the frequently reported autonomic and neuropathic dysfunctions, the findings support SFN as an important, but not the only, underlying pathomechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denver Igharo
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joana C Thiel
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roman Rolke
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Merve Akkaya
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joachim Weis
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Istvan Katona
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jörg B Schulz
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Maier
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Álvarez DMC, Serrano-Muñoz D, Fernández-Pérez JJ, Gómez-Soriano J, Avendaño-Coy J. Effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation with high-frequency alternating currents at 30 kHz on the sensory-motor system. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1048986. [PMID: 36845426 PMCID: PMC9947497 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1048986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Unmodulated high-frequency alternating currents (HFAC) are employed for producing peripheral nerves block. HFAC have been applied in humans with frequencies up to 20 kHz, whether transcutaneously, percutaneously, or via surgically-implanted electrodes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of percutaneous HFAC, applied with ultrasound-guided needles at 30 kHz, on the sensory-motor nerve conduction of healthy volunteers. Methods A parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trial with a placebo control was conducted. Percutaneous HFAC at 30 kHz or sham stimulation was applied via ultrasound-guided needles in 48 healthy volunteers (n = 24 in each group) for 20 min. The assessed outcome variables were pressure pain threshold (PPT), mechanical detection threshold (MDT), maximal finger flexion strength (MFFS), antidromic sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), hand temperature, and subjective sensations by the participants. The measurements were recorded pre-intervention, during the stimulation (at 15 min), immediately post-intervention (at 20 min), and 15 min after the end of treatment. Results The PPT increased in the active group compared with sham stimulation, both during the intervention [14.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.4-25.0], immediately post-intervention (16.9%; 95% CI: -7.2-26.5), and 15 min after the end of the stimulation (14.3%; 95% CI: 4.4-24.3) (p < 0.01). The proportion of participants who reported feelings of numbness and heaviness was significantly higher in the active group (46 and 50%, respectively) than in the sham group (8 and 18%, respectively) (p < 0.05). No intergroup differences were observed in the remaining outcome variables. No unexpected adverse effects derived from the electrical stimulation were reported. Conclusion Percutaneous stimulation with HFAC at 30 kHz applied to the median nerve increased the PPT and subjective perception of numbness and heaviness. Future research should evaluate its potential therapeutic effect in people with pain. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04884932, identifier NCT04884932.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martín-Caro Álvarez
- Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing of Toledo, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | | | - Juan José Fernández-Pérez
- Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing of Toledo, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Julio Gómez-Soriano
- Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing of Toledo, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Juan Avendaño-Coy
- Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing of Toledo, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
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4
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Kesterson K, Schofield J, Blitshteyn S. Immunotherapy with subcutaneous immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). J Neurol 2023; 270:233-239. [PMID: 36008726 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11344-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), one of the most common autonomic disorders, is associated with significant morbidity and functional impairment. Although several possible etiologies have been proposed, autoimmunity has emerged as one of the leading causes with various specific and non-specific antibodies identified in patients with POTS. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin has been previously described. We present a case series of patients with severe POTS refractory to the standard pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies treated with immunotherapy consisting of either subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy or plasmapheresis (PLEX) and report their treatment outcomes. METHODS Clinical history of 7 patients with POTS who were treated with SCIG or PLEX was reviewed. Response to treatment was assessed using COMPASS 31 and functional ability scale (FAS), completed by patients retrospectively, pre- and 3-12 months post-treatment with SCIG or PLEX. RESULTS All patients improved following SCIG or PLEX with an average 50% reduction in COMPASS 31 score and 217% increase in FAS scores. Six out of seven patients were able to reduce or discontinue oral medications for POTS, and five patients were able to return to work or school. Four patients had skin biopsy or quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART)-proven small fiber neuropathy, and five had various positive antibodies at low titers. CONCLUSION Patients with severe, treatment-refractory POTS experienced significant functional improvement with reduction in the autonomic symptoms following immunotherapy with SCIG or PLEX. Randomized controlled trials of SCIG and/or PLEX are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of these long-term therapies in patients with POTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Kesterson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Central Florida/HCA GME Consortium, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Jill Schofield
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Svetlana Blitshteyn
- Department of Neurology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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5
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Tufvesson H, Hamrefors V, Ohlsson B. Mechanisms behind diffuse idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in humans - a systematic review. Scand J Gastroenterol 2022; 58:572-582. [PMID: 36546668 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2022.2160272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Diffuse peripheral neuropathy is a well-known complication of several conditions, whereas many patients have peripheral neuropathy of unknown etiology and pathophyisology. Increased knowledge of mechanisms may provide insight into enteric neuropathy with gastrointestinal dysmotility. The aim of the present systematic review was to identify mechanisms behind diffuse idiopathic peripheral neuropathies in humans.Methods: Searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Human original and review articles, written in English, describing mechanisms behind diffuse peripheral neuropathy verified by objective examinations were intended to be studied. Articles that described animal models, well-described hereditary diseases, drug-induced neuropathy, pain syndromes, malnutrition, and local neuropathy were excluded.Results: In total, 4712 articles were identified. After scrutinizing titles and abstracts, 633 remained and were studied in full text. After the removal of articles not fulfilling inclusion or exclusion criteria, 52 were finally included in this review. The most frequently described neuropathy was diabetic neuropathy, with a wide range of mechanisms involving mitochondrial dysfunction such as oxidative stress and inflammation. Microvascular changes in diabetes and vasculitis lead to ischemia and secondary oxidative stress with inflammation. Structural changes in neurons and glial cells are observed, with abnormalities in different neurotrophic factors. Neuropathy induced by autoantibodies or immunological mechanisms is described in infectious and systemic inflammatory diseases. Several ion channels may be involved in painful neuropathy. No study identified why some patients mainly develop large fiber neuropathy and others small fiber neuropathy.Conclusion: Metabolic and immunological factors and channelopathy may be considered in diffuse idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Tufvesson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Skåne University Hopsital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Viktor Hamrefors
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Cardiology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Bodil Ohlsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hopsital, Malmö, Sweden
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6
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Nonregional small fibre neuropathy in cases of autoimmune autonomic neuropathy. J Neurol 2022; 269:6648-6654. [PMID: 36085427 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11340-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Autonomic small fibre neuropathy is described in patients with autoimmune autonomic neuropathy (AAN). Few data are available on somatosensory function and skin biopsies in AAN. METHODS Retrospective analysis of 17 patients (51.2 ± 6.8 years, n = 7 males) with AAN, including autoantibodies, quantitative sensory testing (QST, n = 13) and intraepithelial nerve fibre density (IENFD) in skin biopsy (n = 16). QST was performed according to the DFNS protocol over hands and feet dorsum. QST data were compared to healthy controls. Comparison of antibody-positive and antibody-negative cases. RESULTS 70.6% of patients were antibody positive. 82.4% described at least one episode with sensory symptoms. Skin biopsies revealed reduced IENFD in 58.8% of patients, whereas neuropathic pain was only present in 41.2%. QST showed a nonregional increase for nonpainful thermal and mechanical detection rather than for mechanical pain thresholds. Compared to healthy controls, sensory loss for cold and warm detection thresholds and for the thermal sensory limen-the temperature difference between alternating warm and cold stimuli-was found on hands and feet (all p < 0.05). For nonpainful mechanical stimuli, the vibration detection threshold on the hand was increased (p < 0.05). Of all pain thresholds, only the mechanical pain threshold was elevated for pinprick stimuli to the feet (p < 0.05). INTERPRETATION Findings are consistent with a sensory small fibre more than large fibre neuropathy in AAN. Sensory loss was comparably distributed across hands and feet, indicating that nerve fibre dysfunction was rather generalized. Serostatus was not a significant predictor of the small fibre deficit present in AAN.
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7
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Small Fiber Neuropathy in Sarcoidosis. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2021; 28:544-550. [PMID: 35366250 PMCID: PMC8830461 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology28040035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcoidosis (SC) is a granulomatous disease of an unknown origin. The most common SC-related neurological complication is a small fiber neuropathy (SFN) that is often considered to be the result of chronic inflammation and remains significantly understudied. This study aimed to identify the clinical and histological correlates of small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis patients. The study was performed in 2018–2019 yy and included 50 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (n = 25) and healthy subjects (n = 25). For the clinical verification of the SFN, the “Small Fiber Neuropathy Screening List” (SFN-SL) was used. A punch biopsy of the skin was performed followed by enzyme immunoassay analysis with PGP 9.5 antibodies. Up to 60% of the sarcoidosis patients reported the presence of at least one complaint, and it was possible that these complaints were associated with SFN. The most frequent complaints included dysfunctions of the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems and the gastrointestinal tract. A negative, statistically significant correlation between the intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IEND) and SFN-SL score was revealed. In patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, small fiber neuropathy might develop as a result of systemic immune-mediated inflammation. The most common symptoms of this complication were dysautonomia and mild sensory dysfunction.
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8
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Sankaran BP, Gupta S, Tchan M, Devanapalli B, Rahman Y, Procopis P, Bhattacharya K. GLRX5-associated [Fe-S] cluster biogenesis disorder: further characterisation of the neurological phenotype and long-term outcome. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:465. [PMID: 34732213 PMCID: PMC8565018 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-02073-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification and characterisation of monogenic causes of complex neurological phenotypes are important for genetic counselling and prognostication. Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in the gene encoding GLRX5, a protein involved in the early steps of Fe-S cluster biogenesis, are rare and cause two distinct phenotypes: isolated sideroblastic anemia and a neurological phenotype with variant non-ketotic hyperglycinemia. In this study, we analysed the evolution of clinical and MRI findings and long-term outcome of patients with GLRX5 mutations. METHODS Four patients from three Australian families of Lebanese descent were identified. All patients presented in childhood and were followed up into adult life through multiple clinical assessments. All were prescribed sodium benzoate. RESULTS All patients (all females, age range 18-56 years) showed a complex neurological phenotype characterised by varying combinations of spastic paraparesis, length-dependent motor/sensory-motor axonal polyneuropathy, and psychiatric disturbances with variable intellectual disability. All had non-ketotic hyperglycinemia and a homozygous pathogenic c.151_153delAAG (p.K51del) change in GLRX5. Motor disability gradually progressed reaching moderate disability during adolescence and moderately severe disability during adult life. The major MRI finding was the upper cervical spinal cord signal changes with contrast enhancement noted in all and additional leukoencephalopathy in one. On follow up MRI, the white matter lesions diminished on a subsequent scan and then remained static over time. The spinal cord showed gliotic changes. Two patients have previously demonstrated low pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency but none had plasma lactate elevation, nor biochemical evidence of branch-chain keto-dehydrogenase deficiency. Glycine levels reduced in patients that tolerated sodium benzoate, possibly stabilising clinical manifestations. CONCLUSIONS This report demonstrates that the p.K51del GLRX5 variant causes a distinct and predictable neurological phenotype. The clinical assessments spanning from childhood to adult life enable physicians to infer the natural history of GLRX5 related neurological disorder. There may be widespread metabolic consequences, and optimal management is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindu Parayil Sankaran
- Department of Biochemical Genetics and Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sachin Gupta
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- T.Y Nelson Department of Neurology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Michel Tchan
- Westmead Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Beena Devanapalli
- Department of Biochemical Genetics and Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Yusof Rahman
- Westmead Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter Procopis
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- T.Y Nelson Department of Neurology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Kaustuv Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemical Genetics and Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Maintenance therapy with subcutaneous immunoglobulin in a patient with immune-mediated neuropathic postural tachycardia syndrome. J Transl Autoimmun 2021; 4:100112. [PMID: 34471867 PMCID: PMC8387908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2021.100112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims We describe the disease course of a 35-year-old female with an autoimmune mediated neuropathic postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), who responded to immunoglobulin therapy and stabilized on maintenance therapy with subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg). Methods We provide longitudinal data of clinical scores, tilt-table results and antibody titers. Results Initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin caused infusion-related side-effects whereas SCIg was well tolerated and improved clinical symptoms and quality of life. Clinical improvement correlated with the reduction of serum antibody titers 22 months after first infusion. Conclusions These findings suggest that autoimmune-mediated neuropathic PoTS can be treated sufficiently with IVIg whereas SCIg minimizes side-effects.
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10
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Roth B, Schiro DB, Ohlsson B. Diseases which cause generalized peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review. Scand J Gastroenterol 2021; 56:1000-1010. [PMID: 34214006 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2021.1942542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Peripheral autonomic neuropathy, including enteric neuropathy, may be subtle and unrecognized for several years. Diagnosis of enteric neuropathy demands complicated examinations such as full-thickness bowel biopsy. We hypothesized that knowledge about simultaneous occurrence of different types of neuropathy would lead to faster recognition and diagnosis of autonomic/enteric neuropathy. The aim of the present systematic review was to increase the awareness of disease groups causing autonomic and enteric neuropathy along with sensorimotor neuropathy. METHODS A systematic search strategy was used in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. First, 4978 articles were identified. Review of titles/abstracts rendered exclusion of animal studies, articles not written in English or full-length, case reports, conference abstracts and duplicates until 357 articles remained. The full-length evaluation resulted in 35 studies (27 non-systematic reviews) which described objectively verified peripheral autonomic, enteric and sensorimotor neuropathy within the same disease. RESULTS Diabetes is the most common disease in society rendering generalized peripheral neuropathy. Accumulation of tissue deposits in amyloidosis, Lewy body disorders and sarcoidosis lead to widespread peripheral neuropathy. Several autoimmune disorders such as systemic sclerosis and primary Sjögren's syndrome present themselves with neuropathy. Paraneoplastic neuropathy may appear prior to symptoms from the malignancy. Both the infection per se, as well as the autoimmune response to the infection, i.e., Guillain-Barré syndrome, may lead to widespread peripheral neuropathy. Hereditary disorders with disturbed metabolism lead to intermittent attacks of neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS The major causes of generalized peripheral neuropathy are diabetes, diseases with tissue deposits, autoimmunity, infections, malignancy and metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodil Roth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Bodil Ohlsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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11
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Trevino JA, Novak P. TS‐HDS
and
FGFR3
antibodies in small fiber neuropathy and Dysautonomia. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:70-76. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.27245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A. Trevino
- Department of Neurology Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Peter Novak
- Department of Neurology Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
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12
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Chang CH, Chang YS, Hsieh YL. Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 depletion mediates mechanical allodynia through cellular signal alterations in small-fiber neuropathy. Pain Rep 2021; 6:e922. [PMID: 34585035 PMCID: PMC8462592 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) is a polymodal nociceptor that monitors noxious thermal sensations. Few studies have addressed the role of TRPV1 in mechanical allodynia in small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) caused by sensory nerve damage. Accordingly, this article reviews the putative mechanisms of TRPV1 depletion that mediates mechanical allodynia in SFN. The intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENFs) degeneration and sensory neuronal injury are the primary characteristics of SFN. Intraepidermal nerve fibers are mainly C-polymodal nociceptors and Aδ-fibers, which mediated allodynic pain after neuronal sensitization. TRPV1 depletion by highly potent neurotoxins induces the upregulation of activating transcription factor 3 and IENFs degeneration which mimics SFN. TRPV1 is predominately expressed by the peptidergic than nonpeptidergic nociceptors, and these neurochemical discrepancies provided the basis of the distinct pathways of thermal analgesia and mechanical allodynia. The depletion of peptidergic nociceptors and their IENFs cause thermal analgesia and sensitized nonpeptidergic nociceptors respond to mechanical allodynia. These distinct pathways of noxious stimuli suggested determined by the neurochemical-dependent neurotrophin cognate receptors such as TrkA and Ret receptors. The neurogenic inflammation after TRPV1 depletion also sensitized Ret receptors which results in mechanical allodynia. The activation of spinal TRPV1(+) neurons may contribute to mechanical allodynia. Also, an imbalance in adenosinergic analgesic signaling in sensory neurons such as the downregulation of prostatic acid phosphatase and adenosine A1 receptors, which colocalized with TRPV1 as a membrane microdomain also correlated with the development of mechanical allodynia. Collectively, TRPV1 depletion-induced mechanical allodynia involves a complicated cascade of cellular signaling alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Hong Chang
- Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Shuang Chang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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13
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A Systematic Review of Pharmacologic and Rehabilitative Treatment of Small Fiber Neuropathies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10121022. [PMID: 33260566 PMCID: PMC7761307 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10121022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review is to guide the physician in defining the pharmacologic and rehabilitative therapeutic approaches for adopting the best strategies described in the current literature. The search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science to identify the treatment of small fiber neuropathies. Two reviewers independently reviewed and came to a consensus on which articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria. The authors excluded the duplicates, animal studies and included the English articles in which the treatment of patients with small fiber neuropathies was described. The search identified a total of 975 articles with the keywords “small fiber neuropathy” AND “rehabilitation” OR “therapy” OR “treatment”. Seventy-eight selected full-text were analyzed by the reviewers. Forty-two publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review to describe the rehabilitative and pharmacologic treatment of small fiber neuropathies. Despite the range of different protocols of treatment for small fiber neuropathy, other robust trials are needed. In addition, always different therapeutic approaches are used; a unique protocol could be important for the clinicians. More research is needed to build evidence for the best strategy and to delineate a definitive therapeutic protocol.
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Wirth K, Scheibenbogen C. A Unifying Hypothesis of the Pathophysiology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Recognitions from the finding of autoantibodies against ß2-adrenergic receptors. Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102527. [PMID: 32247028 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) is a complex and severely disabling disease with a prevalence of 0.3% and no approved treatment and therefore a very high medical need. Following an infectious onset patients suffer from severe central and muscle fatigue, chronic pain, cognitive impairment, and immune and autonomic dysfunction. Although the etiology of CFS/ME is not solved yet, there is numerous evidence for an autoantibody mediated dysregulation of the immune and autonomic nervous system. We found elevated ß2 adrenergic receptor (ß2AdR) and M3 acetylcholine receptor antibodies in a subset of CFS/ME patients. As both ß2AdR and M3 acetylcholine receptor are important vasodilators, we would expect their functional disturbance to result in vasoconstriction and hypoxemia. An impaired circulation and oxygen supply could result in many symptoms of ME/CFS. There are consistent reports of vascular dysfunction in ME/CFS. Muscular and cerebral hypoperfusion has been shown in ME/CFS in various studies and correlated with fatigue. Metabolic changes in ME/CFS are also in line with a concept of hypoxia and ischemia. Here we try to develop a unifying working concept for the complex pathomechanism of ME/CFS based on the presence of dysfunctional autoantibodies against ß2AdR and M3 acetylcholine receptor and extrapolate it to the pathophysiology of ME/CFS without an autoimmune pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Wirth
- Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland, R&D, Frankfurt a.M., Germany.
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow, Berlin, Germany.
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Shinkarevsky Fleitman I, Nevo Y, Harel L, Amarilyo G, Dori A, Agmon‐Levin N, Kachko L, Zaks Hoffer G, Dabby R, Rabie M, Aharoni S. Small‐fiber neuropathy associated with autoinflammatory syndromes in children and adolescents. Muscle Nerve 2020; 61:791-796. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.26857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoram Nevo
- Institute of Pediatric Neurology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel Petach Tikva Israel
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Liora Harel
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- Department of Pediatric RheumatologySchneider Children's Medical Center of Israel Petach Tikva Israel
| | - Gil Amarilyo
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- Department of Pediatric RheumatologySchneider Children's Medical Center of Israel Petach Tikva Israel
| | - Amir Dori
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- Department of Neurology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer Israel
| | - Nancy Agmon‐Levin
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- Clinical Immunology, Angioedema and Allergy Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer Israel
| | - Ludmyla Kachko
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Treatment Service, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel Petach Tikva Israel
| | - Gal Zaks Hoffer
- Raphael Recanati Genetics Institute, Rabin Medical Center‐Beilinson Hospital Petah Tikva Israel
- Pediatric Genetics Clinic, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel Petah Tikva Israel
| | - Ron Dabby
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- Department of Neurology, Wolfson Medical Center Holon Israel
| | - Malcolm Rabie
- Institute of Pediatric Neurology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel Petach Tikva Israel
| | - Sharon Aharoni
- Institute of Pediatric Neurology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel Petach Tikva Israel
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
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Görlach J, Amsel D, Kölbel H, Grzybowsky M, Rutsch F, Schlierbach H, Vanlander A, Pogatzki‐Zahn E, Habig K, Garkisch S, Müller V, Fritz T, Ziegler A, Hahn A, Krämer HH, Van Coster R, Schänzer A. Diagnostic utility of small fiber analysis in skin biopsies from children with chronic pain. Muscle Nerve 2019; 61:173-181. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.26766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Görlach
- Institute of NeuropathologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
| | - Daniel Amsel
- Institute of NeuropathologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
| | - Heike Kölbel
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Children's HospitalUniversity Duisburg‐Essen Essen Germany
| | - Michelle Grzybowsky
- Department of Child NeurologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
| | - Frank Rutsch
- Department of General Pediatrics, Children's HospitalUniversity of Muenster Muenster Germany
| | - Hannah Schlierbach
- Institute of NeuropathologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
| | - Arnaud Vanlander
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of PediatricsUniversity Hospital Gent Gent Belgium
| | - Esther Pogatzki‐Zahn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain MedicineUniversity Hospital Muenster Muenster Germany
| | - Kathrin Habig
- Department of NeurologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
| | - Stefanie Garkisch
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Children's HospitalUniversity Duisburg‐Essen Essen Germany
| | | | - Thorsten Fritz
- Centre for Pain Therapy and Anaesthesiology at Schloss Butzbach Butzbach Germany
| | - Andreas Ziegler
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neuropediatrics, HeidelbergUniversity Hospital Heidelberg Germany
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Child NeurologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
| | - Heidrun H. Krämer
- Department of NeurologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
| | - Rudy Van Coster
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of PediatricsUniversity Hospital Gent Gent Belgium
| | - Anne Schänzer
- Institute of NeuropathologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
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Gaillet A, Champion K, Lefaucheur JP, Trout H, Bergmann JF, Sène D. Intravenous immunoglobulin efficacy for primary Sjögren's Syndrome associated small fiber neuropathy. Autoimmun Rev 2019; 18:102387. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2019.102387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Ahrendsen JT, Anderson KR, Anderson MP. Lymphocytic ganglionitis leading to megacolon in lymphocyte-rich glioblastoma. J Neuroimmunol 2019; 337:577075. [PMID: 31655421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.577075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
T-cell immune attack of cancer cells underlies the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in many cancer subtypes, but is not yet well established in the primary brain cancer glioblastoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments that disinhibit the immune system to enhance immune clearance of cancer have in rare cases resulted in T-cell attack of peripheral ganglia causing lymphocytic ganglionitis. In glioblastoma, lymphocytic ganglionitis has not been reported and checkpoint inhibitors are not routinely used. Here we report a case of glioblastoma not treated with checkpoint inhibitors in which the primary tumor and peripheral ganglia of the celiac and sympathetic chains, as well as myenteric plexus, are infiltrated by CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells. In addition to the marked lymphocytic infiltrates, this case is also notable for an unusually long survival (8 years) after diagnosis with glioblastoma, but an ultimately fatal outcome due to ileus. The findings suggest T-cell immune attack of glioblastoma may prolong survival, but also suggest T-cell autoimmune diseases such as lymphocytic ganglionitis could become a risk with the future use of immune-targeted therapies for glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin R Anderson
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew P Anderson
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Chen A, De E, Argoff C. Small Fiber Polyneuropathy Is Prevalent in Patients Experiencing Complex Chronic Pelvic Pain. PAIN MEDICINE 2019; 20:521-527. [PMID: 29447372 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the prevalence of small fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) in patients with refractory chronic pelvic pain (CPP). DESIGN Retrospective study of prospective database. SUBJECTS Participants were complex CPP patients recruited from subspecity referral clinics defined as those who were refractory to initial treatment and/or exhibited comorbid pain syndromes at initial presentation. METHODS Comprehensive treatment history for CPP was obtained, and participants referred as above; 3-mm punch biopsies were obtained of the lower extremity and sent to diagnostic reference labs to evaluate for SFPN. The reported lab sensitivity and specificity for SFPN are 78-92% and 65-90%, respectively. RESULTS Twenty-five of 39 patients (64%) were positive for SFPN. Comorbid conditions noted in our population included gastroesophageal reflux disease (46%), migraine (38%), irritable bowel syndrome (33%), lower back pain (33%), fibromyalgia (38%), endometriosis (15%), interstitial cystitis (18%), vulvodynia (5%), and other chronic pain syndromes (36%). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of SFPN in our specialty referral patients with complex CPP is remarkably high vs published general population prevalence data (53/100,000). Identification of SFPN in this complex population shifts the focus from undefined syndromes to symptom complexes with linked potentially treatable mechanisms (e.g., SFPN, central sensitization). Most CPP patients with SFPN are undiagnosed. Considering the diagnosis may expand treatment options beyond conventional or so-called adjuvant analgesics. Treatment may expand to therapies such as IV lidocaine, IVIG, or other immunomodulatory options. In addition, the value to the patient of receiving a diagnosis for a multisystem or refractory pain syndrome, often attributed to negative psychologic factors, cannot be underestimated. Identifying SFPN should be contemplated in CPP patients who present with multisystem pain or who have not responded to initial evaluation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Chen
- Department of Urology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
| | - Elise De
- Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Charles Argoff
- Department of Neurology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
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Price TJ, Gold MS. From Mechanism to Cure: Renewing the Goal to Eliminate the Disease of Pain. PAIN MEDICINE 2019; 19:1525-1549. [PMID: 29077871 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnx108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective Persistent pain causes untold misery worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. Despite its astonishing prevalence, pain is undertreated, at least in part because existing therapeutics are ineffective or cause intolerable side effects. In this review, we cover new findings about the neurobiology of pain and argue that all but the most transient forms of pain needed to avoid tissue damage should be approached as a disease where a cure can be the goal of all treatment plans, even if attaining this goal is not yet always possible. Design We reviewed the literature to highlight recent advances in the area of the neurobiology of pain. Results We discuss barriers that are currently hindering the achievement of this goal, as well as the development of new therapeutic strategies. We also discuss innovations in the field that are creating new opportunities to treat and even reverse persistent pain, some of which are in late-phase clinical trials. Conclusion We conclude that the confluence of new basic science discoveries and development of new technologies are creating a path toward pain therapeutics that should offer significant hope of a cure for patients and practitioners alike. Classification of Evidence. Our review points to new areas of inquiry for the pain field to advance the goal of developing new therapeutics to treat chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J Price
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Michael S Gold
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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21
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Matthews CA, Deveshwar SP, Evans RJ, Badlani G, Walker SJ. Small fiber polyneuropathy as a potential therapeutic target in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Int Urogynecol J 2019; 30:1817-1820. [PMID: 31240362 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-019-04011-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are frequently co-occurring medical diagnoses in patients referred to the urology clinic for secondary and tertiary treatment options. METHODS Abundant literature has shown that many patients with FM have small fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) that can be confirmed via skin punch biopsy and immunological staining to measure nerve density. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS This finding of SFPN provides a therapeutic target for FM and in this article we hypothesize and provide rationale for the idea that this same phenomenon (SFPN) might explain, in some IC/BPS patients, the finding of widespread pain and likewise provide a therapeutic target for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Matthews
- Department of Urology/Female Pelvic Health, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Shaun P Deveshwar
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, 391 Technology Way, Winston Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - Robert J Evans
- Department of Urology/Female Pelvic Health, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Gopal Badlani
- Department of Urology/Female Pelvic Health, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Stephen J Walker
- Department of Urology/Female Pelvic Health, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, 391 Technology Way, Winston Salem, NC, 27101, USA.
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22
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Small-fiber neuropathy definition, diagnosis, and treatment. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:1343-1350. [PMID: 30968230 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-03871-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the last 30 years, improvement of diagnostic methods enabled routine evaluation of small A-delta and C nerve fibers impairment, which results with the clinical condition known as a small-fiber neuropathy (SFN). This syndrome develops as a result of metabolic, toxic, immune-mediated, or genetic factors. The main clinical features include neuropathic pain and autonomic disturbance, which are occasionally disclaimed due to outstanding fatigue, daily performance decline, anxiety, and depression. As clinical, neurological, nerve conduction, and electromyography studies are commonly normal, diagnosis often depends on the finding of decreased intra-epidermal density of nerve fibers, per skin biopsy. This review highlights the etiology, clinical, diagnostic aspects, and SFN treatment.
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23
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Ju UH, Liu FC, Lin CS, Huang WY, Lin TY, Shen CH, Chou YC, Lin CL, Lin KT, Kao CH, Chen CH, Yang TY. Risk of Parkinson disease in Sjögren syndrome administered ineffective immunosuppressant therapies: A nationwide population-based study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e14984. [PMID: 30946325 PMCID: PMC6455855 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000014984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine the incidence and risk of Parkinson disease (PD) in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS) according to a nationwide population-based database.In total, 12,640 patients in the SS cohort and 50,560 in the non-SS cohort were enrolled from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2010. We used the Cox multivariable proportional hazards model to determine the risk factors for PD in the SS cohort.We observed an increased incidence of PD in patients with SS, with a crude hazard ratio (HR) of 1.40 and an adjusted HR (aHR) of 1.23. The cumulative incidence of PD was 1.95% higher in the SS cohort than in the non-SS cohort. The SS cohort had an elevated HR under medication use, namely cevimeline and pilocarpine (crude HR, 1.28), hydroxychloroquine (crude HR, 1.43; aHR, 1.46), and methylprednisolone (crude HR, 2.21; aHR, 1.49). Patients receiving other non-hydroxychloroquine immunosuppressant therapies had a lower risk (aHR, 0.86) of PD. Furthermore, patients with SS aged 20 to 49 years had a 1.93-fold higher risk of PD than did those without SS (aHR, 1.93). The risk of PD was higher (aHR, 2.20) in patients with SS without comorbidities than in those with comorbidities. The aHR of PD significantly increased when the follow-up period exceeded 9 years (aHR, 1.93).We determined an increased risk of PD in patients with SS. Further investigation is warranted to determine the possible underlying mechanisms and the potential role of non-hydroxychloroquine immunosuppressants in ameliorating PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uei-Han Ju
- Division of Rheumatology/Immunology and Allergy
| | | | | | | | - Te-Yu Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology
- Division of Infectious disease, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Chih-Hao Shen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei
| | - Yu-Ching Chou
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei
| | - Cheng-Li Lin
- College of Medicine, China Medical University
- Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital
| | | | - Chia-Hung Kao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, China Medical University Hospital
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University
- Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University
| | - Chao-Hsien Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung
| | - Tse-Yen Yang
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, HsinChu County, China Medical University
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung
- Molecular and Genomic Epidemiology Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
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Abstract
Autonomic complaints are frequently encountered in clinical practice. They can be due to primary autonomic disorders or secondary to other medical conditions. Primary autonomic disorders can be categorized as orthostatic intolerance syndromes and small fiber neuropathies; the latter are associated with autonomic failure, pain, or their combinations. The review outlines orthostatic intolerance syndromes (neurally mediated syncope, orthostatic hypotension, postural tachycardia syndrome, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, orthostatic cerebral hypoperfusion syndrome, and hypocapnic cerebral hypoperfusion) and small fiber neuropathies (sensory/autonomic/mixed, acute/subacute/chronic, idiopathic/secondary, inflammatory and noninflammatory). Several specific autonomic syndromes (diabetic neuropathy, primary hyperhidrosis, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, autonomic dysreflexia), neurogenic bladder, and gastrointestinal motility disorders are discussed as well.
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Lu SC, Chang YS, Kan HW, Hsieh YL. Tumor necrosis factor-α mediated pain hypersensitivity through Ret receptor in resiniferatoxin neuropathy. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2019; 34:494-502. [PMID: 30173779 DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenic inflammation is an onset characteristic of small fiber neuropathy (SFN), which is attributed to neuropathic manifestations. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) is a cytokine that mainly mediates neurogenic inflammation through the ligand receptor TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), and targeting TNFα/TNFR1 signaling is a direction toward treating inflammatory diseases and injury-induced neuropathy. However, the relationships between TNFα/TNFR1 signaling and Ret signaling, which mediates pain hypersensitivity, remains elusive. This study used resiniferatoxin (RTX), an ultrapotent analog of capsaicin, to generate a mouse model of SFN, leading to marked hindpaw edema (p = 0.013) and parallel the release of TNFα (p = 0.014), which was associated with the upregulation of Ret(+) neurons (p = 0.0043) and partial depletion of TNFR1 caused by colocalization with TRPV1 depleted by RTX. Pharmacological intervention of TNFα with etanercept (Enbrel®, Wyeth), a clinical application of TNFα blockers, relieved neurogenic inflammation and caused a reduction in hindpaw thickness (p = 0.03) and TNFα releases (p = 0.01), which were determined to be associated with the normalization of mechanical allodynia (p = 0.22). The extraction of either TNFR1(+) or Ret(+) neurons from total of TNFR1(+):Ret(+) neurons indicated that TNFR1(-)/Ret(+) neurons correlated with the mechanical threshold in an antiparallel fashion (r = -0.84, p < 0.0001) but had no relationship with thermal latencies. This study confirmed that TNFα rather than TNFα mediated neuropathic manifestation through the Ret receptor, specifically mechanical allodynia in RTX neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shui-Chin Lu
- Department of Medical Research, Ultrastructural Laboratory, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Shuang Chang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wei Kan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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26
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Nadar V, Banik RK. Skin Punch Biopsy. Pain 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-99124-5_43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Martínez-Lavín M. Fibromyalgia and small fiber neuropathy: the plot thickens! Clin Rheumatol 2018; 37:3167-3171. [PMID: 30238382 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-018-4300-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Several groups of investigators have described the presence of small fiber neuropathy in fibromyalgia patients. This writing discusses how this new finding could renovate fibromyalgia concept, diagnosis, and treatment. Predominant rheumatology thinking proposes fibromyalgia as a "centralized pain syndrome." An alternative hypothesis views fibromyalgia as a stress-related dysautonomia with neuropathic pain features. Dorsal root ganglia may be the key autonomic-nociceptive short-circuit sites. The recent recognition of small fiber neuropathy in a large subgroup of fibromyalgia patients reinforces the dysautonomia-neuropathic hypothesis and validates fibromyalgia pain. These new findings support fibromyalgia as a primarily neurological entity, nevertheless, rheumatologist will likely remain the best equipped specialist to diagnose fibromyalgia and differentiate it from other multi-symptomatic rheumatic syndromes. Skin biopsy and corneal confocal microscopy will probably become useful fibromyalgia diagnostic tests. Dorsal root ganglia sodium channel blockers are potential fibromyalgia analgesic medications. Subgroups of young girls with "autoimmune neuropathic fibromyalgia" may respond to immunoglobulin therapy. Multimodal intervention directed to regain autonomic nervous system resilience will likely remain the cornerstone for fibromyalgia therapy.
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28
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Kaliappan S, Simone DA, Banik RK. Nonlinear Inverted-U Shaped Relationship Between Aging and Epidermal Innervation in the Rat Plantar Hind Paw: A Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2018; 19:1015-1023. [PMID: 29660414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The under-reporting of pain and atypical manifestations of painful syndromes within the elderly population have been well documented, however, the specific relationship between pain and aging remains ambiguous. Previous studies have reported degenerative changes in primary afferents with aging. In this study, we questioned whether there is any change in the density of primary afferent endings within the epidermis of aged animals. Rats were categorically assessed in 4 age groups, each representing a key developmental stage across their life span: juvenile (2 months), adult (7 months); aged (18 months), and senescent (24-26 months). The plantar hind paw skin was removed, post-fixed, cut, and immunostained for protein gene product 9.5 and type IV collagen. Rats in the adult aged groups had significantly increased epidermal nerve densities and total lengths of immunoreactive nerve fibers, compared with juvenile as well as senescent rats. However, the paw withdrawal thresholds to punctate mechanical stimulation progressively increased with age, and did not exhibit a clear relationship with epidermal innervation. We conclude a nonlinear, inverted-U shaped relationship between rat plantar epidermal nerve density with aging, which does not correlate with mechanically-induced paw withdrawal behaviors. PERSPECTIVE This article presents age-related decreased epidermal innervation in rat hind paw skin, which partly explains mechanisms underlying decreased pain sensitivity in aged subjects. The report may help clinicians to understand that any compromise of pain-sensing pathway can lead to under-reporting of pain, inadequate analgesia, and slower recovery from a painful condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankaranarayanan Kaliappan
- NJ Neuroscience Institute and Seton Hall University School of Graduate Medical Education, JFK Medical Center, Edison, New Jersey
| | - Donald A Simone
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ratan K Banik
- NJ Neuroscience Institute and Seton Hall University School of Graduate Medical Education, JFK Medical Center, Edison, New Jersey; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Liu X, Treister R, Lang M, Oaklander AL. IVIg for apparently autoimmune small-fiber polyneuropathy: first analysis of efficacy and safety. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2018; 11:1756285617744484. [PMID: 29403541 PMCID: PMC5791555 DOI: 10.1177/1756285617744484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) has various underlying causes, including associations with systemic autoimmune conditions. We have proposed a new cause; small-fiber-targeting autoimmune diseases akin to Guillain-Barré and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). There are no treatment studies yet for this 'apparently autoimmune SFPN' (aaSFPN), but intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), first-line for Guillain-Barré and CIDP, is prescribed off-label for aaSFPN despite very high cost. This project aimed to conduct the first systematic evaluation of IVIg's effectiveness for aaSFPN. METHODS With IRB approval, we extracted all available paper and electronic medical records of qualifying patients. Inclusion required having objectively confirmed SFPN, autoimmune attribution and other potential causes excluded. IVIg needed to have been dosed at ⩾1 g/kg/4 weeks for ⩾3 months. We chose two primary outcomes - changes in composite autonomic function testing (AFT) reports of SFPN and in ratings of pain severity - to capture objective as well as patient-prioritized outcomes. RESULTS Among all 55 eligible patients, SFPN had been confirmed by 3/3 nerve biopsies, 62% of skin biopsies, and 89% of composite AFT. Evidence of autoimmunity included 27% of patients having systemic autoimmune disorders, 20% having prior organ-specific autoimmune illnesses and 80% having ⩾1/5 abnormal blood-test markers associated with autoimmunity. A total of 73% had apparent small-fiber-restricted autoimmunity. IVIg treatment duration averaged 28 ± 25 months. The proportion of AFTs interpreted as indicating SFPN dropped from 89% at baseline to 55% (p ⩽ 0.001). Sweat production normalized (p = 0.039) and the other four domains all trended toward improvement. Among patients with pre-treatment pain ⩾3/10, severity averaging 6.3 ± 1.7 dropped to 5.2 ± 2.1 (p = 0.007). Overall, 74% of patients rated themselves 'improved' and their neurologists labeled 77% as 'IVIg responders'; 16% entered remissions that were sustained after IVIg withdrawal. All adverse events were expected; most were typical infusion reactions. The two moderate complications (3.6%) were vein thromboses not requiring discontinuation. The one severe event (1.8%), hemolytic anemia, remitted after IVIg discontinuation. CONCLUSION These results provide Class IV, real-world, proof-of-concept evidence suggesting that IVIg is safe and effective for rigorously selected SFPN patients with apparent autoimmune causality. They provide rationale for prospective trials, inform trial design and indirectly support the discovery of small-fiber-targeting autoimmune/inflammatory illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Liu
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
- Department of Neurology, Dayi Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, China
| | - Roi Treister
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA; Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Magdalena Lang
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 275 Charles Street/Warren Building 310, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Terkelsen AJ, Karlsson P, Lauria G, Freeman R, Finnerup NB, Jensen TS. The diagnostic challenge of small fibre neuropathy: clinical presentations, evaluations, and causes. Lancet Neurol 2017; 16:934-944. [DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(17)30329-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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What is new in 2015 in dysimmune neuropathies? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2016; 172:779-784. [PMID: 27866728 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2016.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses and summarizes the concept of nodopathies, the diagnostic features, investigations, pathophysiology, and treatment options of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, and gives updates on other inflammatory and dysimmune neuropathies such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, sensory neuronopathies, small-fiber-predominant ganglionitis, POEMS syndrome, neuropathies associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy and multifocal motor neuropathy. This field of research has contributed to the antigenic characterization of the peripheral motor and sensory functional systems, as well as helping to define immune neuropathic syndromes with widely different clinical presentation, prognosis and response to therapy.
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Lang M, Treister R, Oaklander AL. Diagnostic value of blood tests for occult causes of initially idiopathic small-fiber polyneuropathy. J Neurol 2016; 263:2515-2527. [PMID: 27730378 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-016-8270-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) causes non-specific symptoms including chronic pain, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and sweating complaints. Diagnosis is made from history and exam in patients with known risk factors such as diabetes, but objective test confirmation is recommended for patients without known risks. If tests confirm SFPN, and it is "initially idiopathic" (iiSFPN), screening for occult causes is indicated. This study's aim was to evaluate the 21 widely available, recommended blood tests to identify the most cost-effective ones and to learn about occult causes of iiSFPN. Records were reviewed from all 213 patients with SFPN confirmed by distal-leg skin biopsy, nerve biopsy, or autonomic-function testing in our academic center during 2013. We determined the prevalence of each abnormal blood-test result (ABTR) in the iiSFPN cohort, compared this to population averages, and measured the costs of screening subjects to obtain one ABTR. Participants were 70 % female and aged 43.0 ± 18.6 years. High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and antinuclear antibody (ANA; ≥1:160 titer) were most common, each present in 28 % of subjects. The ABTR ≥3 × more prevalent in iiSFPN than in the total population were high ESR, high ANA, low C3, and Sjögren's and celiac autoantibodies. Together, these suggest the possibility of a specific association between iiSFPN and dysimmunity. ABTR identifying diabetes, prediabetes, and hypertriglyceridemia were less common in iiSFPN than in the population and thus were not associated with iiSFPN here. The six most cost-effective iiSFPN-associated blood tests-ESR, ANA, C3, autoantibodies for Sjögren's and celiac, plus thyroid-stimulating hormone-had estimated cost of $99.57/person and 45.6 % probability of obtaining one abnormal result. Angiotensin-converting enzyme was elevated in 45 %, but no patients had sarcoidosis, so this test was futile here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Lang
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 275 Charles St./Warren Bldg. 310, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Roi Treister
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 275 Charles St./Warren Bldg. 310, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 275 Charles St./Warren Bldg. 310, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Dalakas MC. Neuro-Immunotherapies: A 30-year Retrospective of an Overwhelming Success and a Brighter Future. Neurotherapeutics 2016; 13:1-3. [PMID: 26684870 PMCID: PMC4720665 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-015-0414-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marinos C Dalakas
- Thomas Jefferson University, 901 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Neuroimmunology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
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