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Paredes Mogica JA, Feigenbaum F, Pilitsis JG, Schrot RJ, Oaklander AL, De EJB. Sacral Tarlov perineurial cysts: a systematic review of treatment options. J Neurosurg Spine 2024; 40:375-388. [PMID: 38100766 DOI: 10.3171/2023.9.spine23559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Tarlov perineurial spinal cysts (TCs) are an underrecognized cause of spinal neuropathic symptoms. TCs form within the sensory nerve root sleeves, where CSF extends distally and can accumulate pathologically. Typically, they develop at the sacral dermatomes where the nerve roots are under the highest hydrostatic pressure and lack enclosing vertebral foramina. In total, 90% of patients are women, and genetic disorders that weaken connective tissues, e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, convey considerable risk. Most small TCs are asymptomatic and do not require treatment, but even incidental visualizations should be documented in case symptoms develop later. Symptomatic TCs most commonly cause sacropelvic dermatomal neuropathic pain, as well as bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction. Large cysts routinely cause muscle atrophy and weakness by compressing the ventral motor roots, and multiple cysts or multiroot compression by one large cyst can cause even greater cauda equina syndromes. Rarely, giant cysts erode the sacrum or extend as intrapelvic masses. Disabling TCs require consideration for surgical intervention. The authors' systematic review of treatment analyzed 31 case series of interventional percutaneous procedures and open surgical procedures. The surgical series were smaller and reported somewhat better outcomes with longer term follow-up but slightly higher risks. When data were lacking, authorial expertise and case reports informed details of the specific interventional and surgical techniques, as well as medical, physical, and psychological management. Cyst-wrapping surgery appeared to offer the best long-term outcomes by permanently reducing cyst size and reconstructing the nerve root sleeves. This curtails ongoing injury to the axons and neuronal death, and may also promote axonal regeneration to improve somatic and autonomic sacral nerve function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank Feigenbaum
- 2Department of Neurosurgery, Feigenbaum Neurosurgery, Dallas, Texas
| | - Julie G Pilitsis
- 3Department of Neurosurgery, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
| | - Rudolph J Schrot
- 4Department of Neurosurgery, Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, Sacramento, California
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- 5Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Elise J B De
- 6Department of Urology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
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Zirpoli GR, Farhad K, Klein MC, Downs S, Klein MM, Oaklander AL. Initial validation of the Mass. General Neuropathy Exam Tool (MAGNET) for evaluation of distal small-fiber neuropathy. Muscle Nerve 2024; 69:185-198. [PMID: 38112169 PMCID: PMC10842781 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Diagnosis of small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is hampered by its subjective symptoms and signs. Confirmatory testing is insufficiently available and expensive, so predictive examinations have value. However, few support the 2020 SFN consensus-case-definition requirements or were validated for non-diabetes neuropathies. Thus we developed the Massachusetts General Hospital Neuropathy Exam Tool (MAGNET) and measured diagnostic performance in 160 symptomatic patients evaluated for length-dependent SFN from any cause and 37 healthy volunteers. METHODS We compared prevalences of abnormalities (vital signs, pupil responses, lower-limb appearance, pin, light touch, vibration and position sensitivity, great-toe strength, muscle stretch reflexes), and validated diagnostic performance against objective SFN tests: lower-leg skin-biopsy epidermal neurite densities and autonomic function testing (AFT). Sensitivity/specificity, feasibility, test-retest and inter-rater reliability, and convergence with the Utah Early Neuropathy Scale were calculated. RESULTS Patients' ages averaged 48.5 ± 14.7 years and 70.6% were female. Causes of neuropathy varied, remaining unknown in 59.5%. Among the 46 with abnormal skin biopsies, the most prevalent abnormality was reduced pin sharpness at the toes (71.7%). Inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity excelled (range = 91.3-95.6%). Receiver operating characteristics comparing all symptomatic patients versus healthy controls indicated that a MAGNET threshold score of 14 maximized predictive accuracy for skin biopsies (0.74) and a 30 cut-off maximized accuracy for predicting AFT (0.60). Analyzing patients with any abnormal neuropathy-test results identified areas-under-the-curves of 0.87-0.89 for predicting a diagnostic result, accuracy = 0.80-0.89, and Youden's index = 0.62. Overall, MAGNET was 80%-85% accurate for stratifying patients with abnormal versus normal neuropathy test results. DISCUSSION MAGNET quickly generates research-quality metrics during clinical examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary R. Zirpoli
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Khosro Farhad
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeleine C. Klein
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sean Downs
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Max M. Klein
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Silsby M, Feldman EL, Dortch RD, Roth A, Haroutounian S, Rajabally YA, Vucic S, Shy ME, Oaklander AL, Simon NG. Advances in diagnosis and management of distal sensory polyneuropathies. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:1025-1039. [PMID: 36997315 PMCID: PMC10544692 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-328489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is characterised by length-dependent, sensory-predominant symptoms and signs, including potentially disabling symmetric chronic pain, tingling and poor balance. Some patients also have or develop dysautonomia or motor involvement depending on whether large myelinated or small fibres are predominantly affected. Although highly prevalent, diagnosis and management can be challenging. While classic diabetes and toxic causes are well-recognised, there are increasingly diverse associations, including with dysimmune, rheumatological and neurodegenerative conditions. Approximately half of cases are initially considered idiopathic despite thorough evaluation, but often, the causes emerge later as new symptoms develop or testing advances, for instance with genetic approaches. Improving and standardising DSP metrics, as already accomplished for motor neuropathies, would permit in-clinic longitudinal tracking of natural history and treatment responses. Standardising phenotyping could advance research and facilitate trials of potential therapies, which lag so far. This review updates on recent advances and summarises current evidence for specific treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Silsby
- Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Richard D Dortch
- Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Alison Roth
- Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Simon Haroutounian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yusuf A Rajabally
- Inflammatory Neuropathy Clinic, Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Birmingham, Aston Medical School, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael E Shy
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Nerve Unit, Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Neil G Simon
- Northern Beaches Clinical School, Macquarie University, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales, Australia
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Oaklander AL, Dalakas MC. Reader Response: Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Patients With Painful Idiopathic Small-Fiber Neuropathy. Neurology 2022; 99:675-676. [PMID: 36216520 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Safavi F, Gustafson L, Walitt B, Lehky T, Dehbashi S, Wiebold A, Mina Y, Shin S, Pan B, Polydefkis M, Oaklander AL, Nath A. Neuropathic symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. medRxiv 2022:2022.05.16.22274439. [PMID: 35611338 PMCID: PMC9128783 DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.16.22274439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Various peripheral neuropathies, particularly those with sensory and autonomic dysfunction may occur during or shortly after acute COVID-19 illnesses. These appear most likely to reflect immune dysregulation. If similar manifestations can occur with the vaccination remains unknown. Results In an observational study, we studied 23 patients (92% female; median age 40years) reporting new neuropathic symptoms beginning within 1 month after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. 100% reported sensory symptoms comprising severe face and/or limb paresthesias, and 61% had orthostasis, heat intolerance and palpitations. Autonomic testing in 12 identified seven with reduced distal sweat production and six with positional orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Among 16 with lower-leg skin biopsies, 31% had diagnostic/subthreshold epidermal neurite densities (≤5%), 13% were borderline (5.01-10%) and 19% showed abnormal axonal swelling. Biopsies from randomly selected five patients that were evaluated for immune complexes showed deposition of complement C4d in endothelial cells. Electrodiagnostic test results were normal in 94% (16/17). Together, 52% (12/23) of patients had objective evidence of small-fiber peripheral neuropathy. 58% patients (7/12) treated with oral corticosteroids had complete or near-complete improvement after two weeks as compared to 9% (1/11) of patients who did not receive immunotherapy having full recovery at 12 weeks. At 5-9 months post-symptom onset, 3 non-recovering patients received intravenous immunoglobulin with symptom resolution within two weeks. Conclusions This observational study suggests that a variety of neuropathic symptoms may manifest after SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations and in some patients might be an immune-mediated process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farinaz Safavi
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lindsey Gustafson
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Brian Walitt
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Tanya Lehky
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sara Dehbashi
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Amanda Wiebold
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Yair Mina
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Susan Shin
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Baohan Pan
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Michael Polydefkis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Avindra Nath
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Oaklander AL, Mills AJ, Kelley M, Toran LS, Smith B, Dalakas MC, Nath A. Peripheral Neuropathy Evaluations of Patients With Prolonged Long COVID. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2022; 9:9/3/e1146. [PMID: 35232750 PMCID: PMC8889896 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000001146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Recovery from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection appears exponential, leaving a tail of patients reporting various long COVID symptoms including unexplained fatigue/exertional intolerance and dysautonomic and sensory concerns. Indirect evidence links long COVID to incident polyneuropathy affecting the small-fiber (sensory/autonomic) axons. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional and longitudinal data from patients with World Health Organization (WHO)-defined long COVID without prior neuropathy history or risks who were referred for peripheral neuropathy evaluations. We captured standardized symptoms, examinations, objective neurodiagnostic test results, and outcomes, tracking participants for 1.4 years on average. RESULTS Among 17 patients (mean age 43.3 years, 69% female, 94% Caucasian, and 19% Latino), 59% had ≥1 test interpretation confirming neuropathy. These included 63% (10/16) of skin biopsies, 17% (2/12) of electrodiagnostic tests and 50% (4/8) of autonomic function tests. One patient was diagnosed with critical illness axonal neuropathy and another with multifocal demyelinating neuropathy 3 weeks after mild COVID, and ≥10 received small-fiber neuropathy diagnoses. Longitudinal improvement averaged 52%, although none reported complete resolution. For treatment, 65% (11/17) received immunotherapies (corticosteroids and/or IV immunoglobulins). DISCUSSION Among evaluated patients with long COVID, prolonged, often disabling, small-fiber neuropathy after mild SARS-CoV-2 was most common, beginning within 1 month of COVID-19 onset. Various evidence suggested infection-triggered immune dysregulation as a common mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- From the Nerve Unit (A.L.O., A.J.M.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology (M.K.), Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Department of Neurology (L.S.T.), Confluence Health, Wenatchee; Section of Infections of the Nervous System (B.S., A.N.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuromuscular Division (M.C.D.), Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Greece.
| | - Alexander J Mills
- From the Nerve Unit (A.L.O., A.J.M.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology (M.K.), Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Department of Neurology (L.S.T.), Confluence Health, Wenatchee; Section of Infections of the Nervous System (B.S., A.N.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuromuscular Division (M.C.D.), Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Greece
| | - Mary Kelley
- From the Nerve Unit (A.L.O., A.J.M.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology (M.K.), Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Department of Neurology (L.S.T.), Confluence Health, Wenatchee; Section of Infections of the Nervous System (B.S., A.N.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuromuscular Division (M.C.D.), Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Greece
| | - Lisa S Toran
- From the Nerve Unit (A.L.O., A.J.M.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology (M.K.), Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Department of Neurology (L.S.T.), Confluence Health, Wenatchee; Section of Infections of the Nervous System (B.S., A.N.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuromuscular Division (M.C.D.), Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Greece
| | - Bryan Smith
- From the Nerve Unit (A.L.O., A.J.M.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology (M.K.), Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Department of Neurology (L.S.T.), Confluence Health, Wenatchee; Section of Infections of the Nervous System (B.S., A.N.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuromuscular Division (M.C.D.), Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Greece
| | - Marinos C Dalakas
- From the Nerve Unit (A.L.O., A.J.M.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology (M.K.), Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Department of Neurology (L.S.T.), Confluence Health, Wenatchee; Section of Infections of the Nervous System (B.S., A.N.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuromuscular Division (M.C.D.), Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Greece
| | - Avindra Nath
- From the Nerve Unit (A.L.O., A.J.M.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology (M.K.), Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Department of Neurology (L.S.T.), Confluence Health, Wenatchee; Section of Infections of the Nervous System (B.S., A.N.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuromuscular Division (M.C.D.), Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Greece
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Oaklander AL, Van Houten T, Sabouri AS. Characterization of mononeuropathy of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the calf. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:494-499. [PMID: 34197644 PMCID: PMC10066601 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Isolated injuries to the lateral cutaneous nerve of the calf (LCNC) branch of the common peroneal nerve can cause obscure chronic posterolateral knee and upper calf pain and sensory symptoms. Routine examination and electrodiagnostic testing do not detect them because the LCNC has no motor distribution and it is not interrogated by the typical peroneal nerve conduction study. There are only about 10 prior cases, thus scant physician awareness, so most LCNC injuries remain misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, hindering care. METHODS We extracted pertinent records from seven patients with unexplained posterolateral knee/calf pain, six labeled as complex regional pain syndrome, to investigate for mononeuropathies. Patients were asked to outline their skin area with abnormal responses to pin self-examination independently. Three underwent an LCNC-specific electrodiagnostic study, and two had skin-biopsy epidermal innervation measured. Cadaver dissection of the posterior knee nerves helped identify potential entrapment sites. RESULTS Initiating events included knee surgery (three), bracing (one), extensive kneeling (one), and other knee trauma. All pin-outlines included the published LCNC neurotome. One oftwo LCNC-specific electrodiagnostic studies revealed unilaterally absent potentials. Longitudinal, controlled skin biopsies documented profound LCNC-neurotome denervation then re-innervation contemporaneous with symptom recovery. Cadaver dissection identified the LCNC traversing through the dense fascia of the proximolateral gastrocnemius muscle insertion. DISCUSSION Isolated LCNC mononeuropathy can cause unexplained posterolateral knee/calf pain syndromes. This series characterizes presentations and supports patient pin-mappings as a sensitive, globally available, low-cost diagnostic aid. Improved recognition may facilitate more rapid, accurate diagnosis and, thus, optimize management and improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Nerve Unit, Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trudy Van Houten
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - A Sassan Sabouri
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Joseph P, Arevalo C, Oliveira RKF, Faria-Urbina M, Felsenstein D, Oaklander AL, Systrom DM. Insights From Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing of Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Chest 2021; 160:642-651. [PMID: 33577778 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.01.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) affects tens of millions worldwide; the causes of exertional intolerance are poorly understood. The ME/CFS label overlaps with postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS) and fibromyalgia, and objective evidence of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is reported in approximately 50% of POTS and fibromyalgia patients. RESEARCH QUESTION Can invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET) and PGP9.5-immunolabeled lower-leg skin biopsies inform the pathophysiology of ME/CFS exertional intolerance and potential relationships with SFN? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed 1,516 upright invasive iCPETs performed to investigate exertional intolerance. After excluding patients with intrinsic heart or lung disease and selecting those with right atrial pressures (RAP) <6.5 mm Hg, results from 160 patients meeting ME/CFS criteria who had skin biopsy test results were compared with 36 control subjects. Rest-to-peak changes in cardiac output (Qc) were compared with oxygen uptake (Qc/VO2 slope) to identify participants with low, normal, or high pulmonary blood flow by Qc/VO2 tertiles. RESULTS During exercise, the 160 ME/CFS patients averaged lower RAP (1.9 ± 2 vs 8.3 ± 1.5; P < .0001) and peak VO2 (80% ± 21% vs 101.4% ± 17%; P < .0001) than control subjects. The low-flow tertile had lower peak Qc than the normal and high-flow tertiles (88.4% ± 19% vs 99.5% ± 23.8% vs 99.9% ± 19.5% predicted; P < .01). In contrast, systemic oxygen extraction was impaired in high-flow vs low- and normal-flow participants (0.74% ± 0.1% vs 0.88 ± 0.11 vs 0.86 ± 0.1; P < .0001) in association with peripheral left-to-right shunting. Among the 160 ME/CFS patient biopsies, 31% were consistent with SFN (epidermal innervation ≤5.0% of predicted; P < .0001). Denervation severity did not correlate with exertional measures. INTERPRETATION These results identify two types of peripheral neurovascular dysregulation that are biologically plausible contributors to ME/CFS exertional intolerance-depressed Qc from impaired venous return, and impaired peripheral oxygen extraction. In patients with small-fiber pathology, neuropathic dysregulation causing microvascular dilation may limit exertion by shunting oxygenated blood from capillary beds and reducing cardiac return.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Joseph
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
| | - Carlo Arevalo
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Rudolf K F Oliveira
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Faria-Urbina
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Donna Felsenstein
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - David M Systrom
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Oaklander AL. Clinical significance of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) on peripheral small-fiber sensory neurons is unknown today. Pain 2020; 161:2431-2433. [PMID: 32826753 PMCID: PMC10034827 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Nerve Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Freeman R, Gewandter JS, Faber CG, Gibbons C, Haroutounian S, Lauria G, Levine T, Malik RA, Singleton JR, Smith AG, Bell J, Dworkin RH, Feldman E, Herrmann DN, Hoke A, Kolb N, Mansikka H, Oaklander AL, Peltier A, Polydefkis M, Ritt E, Russell JW, Sainati S, Steiner D, Treister R, Üçeyler N. Idiopathic distal sensory polyneuropathy: ACTTION diagnostic criteria. Neurology 2020; 95:1005-1014. [PMID: 33055271 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000010988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To present standardized diagnostic criteria for idiopathic distal sensory polyneuropathy (iDSP) and its subtypes: idiopathic mixed fiber sensory neuropathy (iMFN), idiopathic small fiber sensory neuropathy (iSFN), and idiopathic large fiber sensory neuropathy (iLFN) for use in research. METHODS The Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities and Networks (ACTTION) public-private partnership with the Food and Drug Administration convened a meeting to develop consensus diagnostic criteria for iMFN, iSFN, and iLFN. After background presentations, a collaborative, iterative approach was used to develop expert consensus for new criteria. RESULTS An iDSP diagnosis requires at least 1 small fiber (SF) or large fiber (LF) symptom, at least 1 SF or LF sign, abnormalities in sensory nerve conduction studies (NCS) or distal intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), and exclusion of known etiologies. An iMFN diagnosis requires that at least 1 of the above clinical features is SF and 1 clinical feature is LF with abnormalities in sensory NCS or IENFD. Diagnostic criteria for iSFN require at least 1 SF symptom and at least 1 SF sign with abnormal IENFD, normal sensory NCS, and the absence of LF symptoms and signs. Diagnostic criteria for iLFN require at least 1 LF symptom and at least 1 LF sign with normal IENFD, abnormal sensory NCS, and absence of SF symptoms and signs. CONCLUSION Adoption of these standardized diagnostic criteria will advance research and clinical trials and spur development of novel therapies for iDSPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Freeman
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Jennifer S Gewandter
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Catharina G Faber
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Gibbons
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Simon Haroutounian
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Todd Levine
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - J Robinson Singleton
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - A Gordon Smith
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Josh Bell
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert H Dworkin
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eva Feldman
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - David N Herrmann
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ahmet Hoke
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Noah Kolb
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Heikki Mansikka
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Amanda Peltier
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Polydefkis
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elissa Ritt
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - James W Russell
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stephen Sainati
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Deborah Steiner
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Roi Treister
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nurcan Üçeyler
- From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.F., C.G.), Harvard Medical School, MA; University of Rochester Medical Center (J.S.G., R.H.D., D.N.H.), Rochester, NY; Department of Neurology (C.G.F.), School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology (S.H.), Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Neuroalgology Unit (G.L.), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta," Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (G.L.), University of Milan,Milan, Italy; Phoenix Neurological Associates (T.L.), Phoenix, AZ; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (R.A.M.), Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar; University of Utah (J.R.S.), Salt Lake City, UT; Virginia Commonwealth University (A.G.S.), Richmond, VA; Biogen (J.B.), Cambridge, MA; University of Michigan (E.F.), Ann Arbor, MI; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (A.H., M.P.), Baltimore, MD; University of Vermont (N.K.), Burlington, VT; Chromocell Corp (H.M.), North Brunswick, NJ; Harvard Medical School (A.L.O.), Boston, MA; Departments of Neurology and Medicine (A.P.), and Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN; NuFactor Specialty Pharmacy (E.R.), Temecula, CA; University of Maryland (J.W.R.), Baltimore, MD; Aptinyx (S.S.), INC., Evanston. IL; Amgen (D.S.), Cambridge, MA; University of Haifa (R.T.), Haifa, Israel; and University of Würzburg (N.Ü.), Würzburg, Germany
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Boneparth A, Chen S, Horton DB, Moorthy LN, Farquhar I, Downs HM, Lee H, Oaklander AL. Epidermal Neurite Density in Skin Biopsies From Patients With Juvenile Fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 2020; 48:575-578. [PMID: 32801135 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.200378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fibromyalgia (FM) is defined by idiopathic, chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain. In adults with FM, a metaanalysis of lower-leg skin biopsy demonstrated 45% pooled prevalence of abnormally low epidermal neurite density (END). END < 5th centile of the normal distribution is the consensus diagnostic threshold for small-fiber neuropathy. However, the clinical significance of END findings in FM is unknown. Here, we examine the prevalence of small-fiber pathology in juvenile FM, which has not been studied previously. METHODS We screened 21 patients aged 13-20 years with FM diagnosed by pediatric rheumatologists. Fifteen meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria (modified for juvenile FM) underwent lower-leg measurements of END and completed validated questionnaires assessing pain, functional disability, and dysautonomia symptoms. The primary outcome was proportion of FM patients with END < 5th centile of age/sex/race-based laboratory norms. Cases were systematically matched by ethnicity, race, sex, and age to a group of previously biopsied healthy adolescents with selection blinded to biopsy results. All 23 controls matching demographic criteria were included. RESULTS Among biopsied juvenile FM patients, 53% (8/15) had END < 5th centile vs 4% (1/23) of healthy controls (P < 0.001). Mean patient END was 273/mm2 skin surface (95% CI 198-389) vs 413/mm2 (95% CI 359-467, P < 0.001). As expected, patients with FM reported more functional disability, dysautonomia, and pain than healthy controls. CONCLUSION Abnormal END reduction is common in adolescents with FM, with similar prevalence in adults with FM. More studies are needed to fully characterize the significance of low END in FM and to elucidate the clinical implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Boneparth
- A. Boneparth, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York;
| | - Shan Chen
- S. Chen, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Daniel B Horton
- D.B. Horton, MD, MSCE, Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, and Rutgers Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, New Brunswick, and Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - L Nandini Moorthy
- L.N. Moorthy, MD, MS, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Ian Farquhar
- I. Farquhar, BA, H.M. Downs, BS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Masschusetts
| | - Heather M Downs
- I. Farquhar, BA, H.M. Downs, BS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Masschusetts
| | - Hang Lee
- H. Lee, PhD, Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- A.L. Oaklander, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
Background: Small fiber polyneuropathy (SFN) involves ectopic firing and degeneration of small-diameter, somatic/autonomic peripheral axons. Causes include diabetes, inflammation and rare pathogenic mutations, including in SCN9-11 genes that encode small fiber sodium channels. Aims: The aim of this study is to associate a new phenotype—immunotherapy-responsive SFN—with rare amino acid–substituting SCN9A variants and present potential explanations. Methods: A retrospective chart review of two Caucasians with skin biopsy confirmed SFN and rare SCN9A single nucleotide polymorphisms not previously reported in neuropathy. Results: A 47-year-old with 4 years of disabling widespread neuropathic pain and exertional intolerance had nerve- and skin biopsy–confirmed SFN, with blood tests revealing only high-titer antinuclear antibodies and low complement C4 consistent with B cell dysimmunity. Six years of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy markedly improved sensory and autonomic symptoms and normalized his neurite density. After whole exome sequencing revealed a potentially pathogenic SCN9A-A3734G variant, sodium channel blockers were tried. Herpes zoster left a 32-year-old with disabling exertional intolerance (“chronic fatigue syndrome”), postural syncope and tachycardia, arm and leg paresthesias, reduced sweating, and distal hairloss. Screening revealed antinuclear and potassium channel autoantibodies, so prednisone and then IVIg were prescribed with great benefit. During 4 years of immunotherapy, his symptoms and function improved, and all abnormal biomarkers (autonomic testing and skin biopsies) normalized. Whole exome sequencing then revealed two nearby compound heterozygous SCN9A variants that were computer-predicted to be deleterious. Conclusions: These cases newly associate three novel amino acid–substituting SCN9A variants with immunotherapy-responsive neuropathy. Only larger studies can determine whether these are contributory or coincidental, but they associate new variants with moderate or high likelihood of pathogenicity with a new highly related phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary A Kelley
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Oaklander AL, Gimigliano F. Are the treatments for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) effective and safe? - A Cochrane Overview summary with commentary. NeuroRehabilitation 2019; 44:609-612. [PMID: 31256085 DOI: 10.3233/nre-189007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a potentially disabling health condition. OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of different pharmacological interventions used in CIPD. METHODS To summarize and to discuss the rehabilitation perspective on the published Cochrane Overview "Treatments for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP): an overviewof systematic reviews" by Anne Louise Oaklander, et al., representing the Cochrane Neuromuscular Group. RESULTS Five CSRs and 23 RCTs, reporting data on corticosteroids, plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, were considered in the overview. CONCLUSIONS High quality trials investigating the combined effectiveness of drugs and exercise using ICF based outcomes should be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Gimigliano
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Mental and Physical Health, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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14
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Small-fiber polyneuropathy involves preferential damage to the thinly myelinated A-delta fibers, unmyelinated C sensory fibers, or autonomic or trophic fibers. Although this condition is common, most patients still remain undiagnosed and untreated because of lagging medical and public awareness of research advances. Chronic bilateral neuropathic pain, fatigue, and nausea are cardinal symptoms that can cause disability and dependence, including pain medication dependence. OBSERVATIONS Biomarker confirmation is recommended, given the nonspecificity of symptoms. The standard test involves measuring epidermal neurite density within a 3-mm protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5)-immunolabeled lower-leg skin biopsy. Biopsies and autonomic function testing confirm that small-fiber neuropathy not uncommonly affects otherwise healthy children and young adults, in whom it is often associated with inflammation or dysimmunity. A recent meta-analysis concluded that small-fiber neuropathy underlies 49% of illnesses labeled as fibromyalgia. Initially, patients with idiopathic small-fiber disorders should be screened by medical history and blood tests for potentially treatable causes, which are identifiable in one-third to one-half of patients. Then, secondary genetic testing is particularly important for familial and childhood cases. Treatable genetic causes include Fabry disease, transthyretin and primary systemic amyloidosis, hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy-1, and ion-channel mutations. Immunohistopathologic evidence suggests that small-fiber dysfunction and denervation, especially of blood vessels, contributes to diverse symptoms, including postexertional malaise, postural orthostatic tachycardia, and functional gastrointestinal distress. Preliminary evidence implicates acute or chronic autoreactivity in some cases, particularly in female patients and otherwise healthy children and young adults. Different temporal patterns akin to Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy have been described; here, corticosteroids and immunoglobulins, which are often efficacious for inflammatory neuropathic conditions, are increasingly considered. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Because small fibers normally grow throughout life, improving contributory conditions may permit regrowth, slow progression, and prevent permanent damage. The prognosis is often hopeful for improving quality of life and sometimes for abatement or resolution, particularly in the young and otherwise healthy individuals. Examples include diabetic, infectious, toxic, genetic, and inflammatory causes. The current standard of care requires prompt diagnosis and treatment, particularly in children and young adults, to restore life trajectory. Consensus diagnostic and tracking metrics should be established to facilitate treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.,Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Maria Nolano
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University "Federico II" of Naples, Naples, Italy.,Skin Biopsy Laboratory, Department of Neurology, IRCCS, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, SpA SB, Telese Terme, Italy
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Fridman V, Suriyanarayanan S, Novak P, David W, Macklin EA, McKenna-Yasek D, Walsh K, Aziz-Bose R, Oaklander AL, Brown R, Hornemann T, Eichler F. Randomized trial of l-serine in patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1. Neurology 2019; 92:e359-e370. [PMID: 30626650 PMCID: PMC6345118 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000006811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of l-serine in humans with hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy type I (HSAN1). Methods In this randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial with open-label extension, patients aged 18–70 years with symptomatic HSAN1 were randomized to l-serine (400 mg/kg/day) or placebo for 1 year. All participants received l-serine during the second year. The primary outcome measure was the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Score version 2 (CMTNS). Secondary outcomes included plasma sphingolipid levels, epidermal nerve fiber density, electrophysiologic measurements, patient-reported measures, and adverse events. Results Between August 2013 and April 2014, we enrolled and randomized 18 participants, 16 of whom completed the study. After 1 year, the l-serine group experienced improvement in CMTNS relative to the placebo group (−1.5 units, 95% CI −2.8 to −0.1, p = 0.03), with evidence of continued improvement in the second year of treatment (−0.77, 95% CI −1.67 to 0.13, p = 0.09). Concomitantly, deoxysphinganine levels dropped in l-serine-treated but not placebo-treated participants (59% decrease vs 11% increase; p < 0.001). There were no serious adverse effects related to l-serine. Conclusion High-dose oral l-serine supplementation appears safe in patients with HSAN1 and is potentially effective at slowing disease progression. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01733407. Classification of evidence This study provides Class I evidence that high-dose oral l-serine supplementation significantly slows disease progression in patients with HSAN1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Fridman
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Saranya Suriyanarayanan
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Peter Novak
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - William David
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Eric A Macklin
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Diane McKenna-Yasek
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Kailey Walsh
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Razina Aziz-Bose
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Robert Brown
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Thorsten Hornemann
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester
| | - Florian Eichler
- From the Department of Neurology (V.F., W.D., K.W., R.A.-B., A.L.O., F.E.), Biostatistics Center, Department of Medicine (E.A.M.), and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Clinical Chemistry (S.S., T.H.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; and University of Massachusetts Medical School (P.N., D.M.-Y., R.B.), Worcester.
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16
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Abstract
Pain behaviors in a Fabry mouse model are associated with the accumulation of a fat molecule that disrupts sodium ion channels in small fiber neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine C Klein
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, United States
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, United States.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States
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17
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Farhad K, Oaklander AL. Fibromyalgia and small-fiber polyneuropathy: What's in a name? Muscle Nerve 2018; 58:611-613. [PMID: 29938813 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Khosro Farhad
- Nerve unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 275 Charles Street, Warren 801, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA.,Department of Neurology, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Nerve unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 275 Charles Street, Warren 801, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA.,Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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18
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Steinhoff M, Schmelz M, Szabó IL, Oaklander AL. Clinical presentation, management, and pathophysiology of neuropathic itch. Lancet Neurol 2018; 17:709-720. [PMID: 30033061 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(18)30217-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Unlike conventional itch, neuropathic itch develops in normal skin from excess peripheral firing or dampened central inhibition of itch pathway neurons. Neuropathic itch is a symptom of the same central and peripheral nervous system disorders that cause neuropathic pain, such as sensory polyneuropathy, radiculopathy, herpes zoster, stroke, or multiple sclerosis, and lesion location affects symptoms more than aetiology. The causes of neuropathic itch are heterogeneous, and thus diagnosis is based primarily on recognising characteristic, disease-specific clinical presentations. However, the diagnosis of neuropathic itch is challenging, different subforms exist (eg, focal vs widespread, peripheral vs central), and the mechanisms of neuropathic itch are poorly understood, resulting in reduced treatment availability. Currently available strategies include treating or preventing causal diseases, such as diabetes or herpes zoster, and topical or systemic medications that calm excess neuronal firing. Discovery of itch mediators such as gastrin releasing peptide, receptors (eg, neurokinin-1), and pathways (eg, Janus kinases) might encourage much needed new research into targeted treatments of neuropathic itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Steinhoff
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; HMC Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Medical School, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Martin Schmelz
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, CBTM Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Imre Lőrinc Szabó
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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19
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [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
| | - 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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20
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AbdelRazek MA, Chwalisz B, Oaklander AL, Venna N. Evidence of small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) in two patients with unexplained genital sensory loss and sensory urinary cystopathy. J Neurol Sci 2017; 380:82-84. [PMID: 28870595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A AbdelRazek
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Bart Chwalisz
- Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nagagopal Venna
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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21
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Oaklander AL, Lunn MPT, Hughes RAC, van Schaik IN, Frost C, Chalk CH. Treatments for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP): an overview of systematic reviews. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 1:CD010369. [PMID: 28084646 PMCID: PMC5468847 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010369.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a chronic progressive or relapsing and remitting disease that usually causes weakness and sensory loss. The symptoms are due to autoimmune inflammation of peripheral nerves. CIPD affects about 2 to 3 per 100,000 of the population. More than half of affected people cannot walk unaided when symptoms are at their worst. CIDP usually responds to treatments that reduce inflammation, but there is disagreement about which treatment is most effective. OBJECTIVES To summarise the evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews (CSRs) and non-Cochrane systematic reviews of any treatment for CIDP and to compare the effects of treatments. METHODS We considered all systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of any treatment for any form of CIDP. We reported their primary outcomes, giving priority to change in disability after 12 months.Two overview authors independently identified published systematic reviews for inclusion and collected data. We reported the quality of evidence using GRADE criteria. Two other review authors independently checked review selection, data extraction and quality assessments.On 31 October 2016, we searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (in theCochrane Library), MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL Plus for systematic reviews of CIDP. We supplemented the RCTs in the existing CSRs by searching on the same date for RCTs of any treatment of CIDP (including treatment of fatigue or pain in CIDP), in the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL Plus. MAIN RESULTS Five CSRs met our inclusion criteria. We identified 23 randomised trials, of which 15 had been included in these CSRs. We were unable to compare treatments as originally planned, because outcomes and outcome intervals differed. CorticosteroidsIt is uncertain whether daily oral prednisone improved impairment compared to no treatment because the quality of the evidence was very low (1 trial, 28 participants). According to moderate-quality evidence (1 trial, 41 participants), six months' treatment with high-dose monthly oral dexamethasone did not improve disability more than daily oral prednisolone. Observational studies tell us that prolonged use of corticosteroids sometimes causes serious side-effects. Plasma exchangeAccording to moderate-quality evidence (2 trials, 59 participants), twice-weekly plasma exchange produced more short-term improvement in disability than sham exchange. In the largest observational study, 3.9% of plasma exchange procedures had complications. Intravenous immunoglobulinAccording to high-quality evidence (5 trials, 269 participants), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) produced more short-term improvement than placebo. Adverse events were more common with IVIg than placebo (high-quality evidence), but serious adverse events were not (moderate-quality evidence, 3 trials, 315 participants). One trial with 19 participants provided moderate-quality evidence of little or no difference in short-term improvement of impairment with plasma exchange in comparison to IVIg. There was little or no difference in short-term improvement of disability with IVIg in comparison to oral prednisolone (moderate-quality evidence; 1 trial, 29 participants) or intravenous methylprednisolone (high-quality evidence; 1 trial, 45 participants). One unpublished randomised open trial with 35 participants found little or no difference in disability after three months of IVIg compared to oral prednisone; this trial has not yet been included in a CSR. We know from observational studies that serious adverse events related to IVIg do occur. Other immunomodulatory treatmentsIt is uncertain whether the addition of azathioprine (2 mg/kg) to prednisone improved impairment in comparison to prednisone alone, as the quality of the evidence is very low (1 trial, 27 participants). Observational studies show that adverse effects truncate treatment in 10% of people.According to low-quality evidence (1 trial, 60 participants), compared to placebo, methotrexate 15 mg/kg did not allow more participants to reduce corticosteroid or IVIg doses by 20%. Serious adverse events were no more common with methotrexate than with placebo, but observational studies show that methotrexate can cause teratogenicity, abnormal liver function, and pulmonary fibrosis.According to moderate-quality evidence (2 trials, 77 participants), interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a) in comparison to placebo, did not allow more people to withdraw from IVIg. According to moderate-quality evidence, serious adverse events were no more common with IFN beta-1a than with placebo.We know of no other completed trials of immunosuppressant or immunomodulatory agents for CIDP. Other treatmentsWe identified no trials of treatments for fatigue or pain in CIDP. Adverse effectsNot all trials routinely collected adverse event data; when they did, the quality of evidence was variable. Adverse effects in the short, medium, and long term occur with all interventions. We are not able to make reliable comparisons of adverse events between the interventions included in CSRs. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We cannot be certain based on available evidence whether daily oral prednisone improves impairment compared to no treatment. However, corticosteroids are commonly used, based on widespread availability, low cost, very low-quality evidence from observational studies, and clinical experience. The weakness of the evidence does not necessarily mean that corticosteroids are ineffective. High-dose monthly oral dexamethasone for six months is probably no more or less effective than daily oral prednisolone. Plasma exchange produces short-term improvement in impairment as determined by neurological examination, and probably produces short-term improvement in disability. IVIg produces more short-term improvement in disability than placebo and more adverse events, although serious side effects are probably no more common than with placebo. There is no clear difference in short-term improvement in impairment with IVIg when compared with intravenous methylprednisolone and probably no improvement when compared with either oral prednisolone or plasma exchange. According to observational studies, adverse events related to difficult venous access, use of citrate, and haemodynamic changes occur in 3% to17% of plasma exchange procedures.It is uncertain whether azathioprine is of benefit as the quality of evidence is very low. Methotrexate may not be of benefit and IFN beta-1a is probably not of benefit.We need further research to identify predictors of response to different treatments and to compare their long-term benefits, safety and cost-effectiveness. There is a need for more randomised trials of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agents, routes of administration, and treatments for symptoms of CIDP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael PT Lunn
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryDepartment of Neurology and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular DiseasesQueen SquareLondonUKWC1N 3BG
| | - Richard AC Hughes
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryMRC Centre for Neuromuscular DiseasesPO Box 114Queen SquareLondonUKWC1N 3BG
| | - Ivo N van Schaik
- Academic Medical Centre, University of AmsterdamDepartment of NeurologyMeibergdreef 9PO Box 22700AmsterdamNetherlands1100 DE
| | - Chris Frost
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineDepartment of Medical StatisticsKeppel StreetLondonUKWC1E 7HT
| | - Colin H Chalk
- McGill UniversityDepartment of Neurology & NeurosurgeryMontreal General Hospital ‐ Room L7‐3131650 Cedar AvenueMontrealQCCanadaH3G 1A4
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22
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Treister R, Lodahl M, Lang M, Tworoger SS, Sawilowsky S, Oaklander AL. Initial Development and Validation of a Patient-Reported Symptom Survey for Small-Fiber Polyneuropathy. J Pain 2017; 18:556-563. [PMID: 28063957 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) affects unmyelinated and thinly myelinated peripheral axons. Several questionnaires have been developed to assess polyneuropathy from diabetes or chemotherapy, but none for SFPN from other or unknown causes. A comprehensive survey could help clinicians diagnose and assess treatment responses, define prevalence natural history and cures, and identify research subjects. Thus, we developed the 1-page Small-Fiber Symptom Survey, using input from patients and 21 medical/scientific experts. Participants comprised consenting consecutive patients evaluated for SFPN at the Massachusetts General Hospital plus normal control subjects. Participants SFPN status was stratified on the basis of the results of their objective diagnostic tests (distal leg skin biopsy and autonomic function testing). We measured internal consistency, test retest reliability, convergent validity, and performed a receiver operating curve analysis. The 179 participants averaged 46.6 ± 15.6 years old; they were 73.2% female and 92.2% Caucasian. Eighty-five had confirmed SFPN, mostly idiopathic. Principal component analysis revealed 5 symptom clusters. The questionnaire had good internal consistency (Cronbach α = .893), excellent test retest reliability (r = .927, P < .001) and good to fair convergent validity. Participants with confirmed SFPN had more severe symptoms than others (P = .009). The Small-Fiber Symptom Survey has satisfactory psychometric properties, indicating potential future utility for surveying patient-reported symptoms of SFPN regardless of its cause. PERSPECTIVE This article reports the initial development and early psychometric validation of a new patient-reported outcome measure intended to capture the wide range of multisystem symptoms of SFPN. When further developed, it could potentially help clinicians diagnose and monitor patients, and help advance research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Treister
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Mette Lodahl
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Magdalena Lang
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shelley S Tworoger
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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23
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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: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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24
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Abstract
It has recently become recognized that neuropathic forms of chronic pain represent true neurologic disease. Current investigations are largely molecular, yet knowledge of the anatomy and cell biology of pain is also important for the development of more effective medications. Although acute pain is beneficial, neuropathic pain is pathological and creates devastating disability. It occurs when an abnormal somatosensory system chronically transmits pain signals despite the absence of acute injury. Any type of lesion anywhere in the peripheral or central spinothalamic pathway can cause it. The most common scenario involves interruption of peripheral sensory axons with distal Wallerian degeneration. Regenerating peripheral sensory axons can develop ongoing spontaneous action potentials or ectopic mechano- and chemosensitivity that contribute to pain. Axotomy also induces morphological and functional alterations proximally that can contribute to pain. Central axon terminals can degenerate or sprout aberrantly within the dorsal horn. Higher order sensory neurons within the CNS can experience trans-synaptic damage. Lesions wholly within the CNS, such as stroke and multiple sclerosis, can also produce neuropathic pain. This review of a nascent field is presented in hopes of stimulating further investigation into this common, under-recognized medical problem. NEURO SCIENTIST 5:302-310, 1999
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Neurology Massachusetts
General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts
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Morini E, Dietrich P, Salani M, Downs HM, Wojtkiewicz GR, Alli S, Brenner A, Nilbratt M, LeClair JW, Oaklander AL, Slaugenhaupt SA, Dragatsis I. Sensory and autonomic deficits in a new humanized mouse model of familial dysautonomia. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1116-28. [PMID: 26769677 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Familial dysautonomia (FD) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease that affects the development and survival of sensory and autonomic neurons. FD is caused by an mRNA splicing mutation in intron 20 of the IKBKAP gene that results in a tissue-specific skipping of exon 20 and a corresponding reduction of the inhibitor of kappaB kinase complex-associated protein (IKAP), also known as Elongator complex protein 1. To date, several promising therapeutic candidates for FD have been identified that target the underlying mRNA splicing defect, and increase functional IKAP protein. Despite these remarkable advances in drug discovery for FD, we lacked a phenotypic mouse model in which we could manipulate IKBKAP mRNA splicing to evaluate potential efficacy. We have, therefore, engineered a new mouse model that, for the first time, will permit to evaluate the phenotypic effects of splicing modulators and provide a crucial platform for preclinical testing of new therapies. This new mouse model, TgFD9; Ikbkap(Δ20/flox) was created by introducing the complete human IKBKAP transgene with the major FD splice mutation (TgFD9) into a mouse that expresses extremely low levels of endogenous Ikbkap (Ikbkap(Δ20/flox)). The TgFD9; Ikbkap(Δ20/flox) mouse recapitulates many phenotypic features of the human disease, including reduced growth rate, reduced number of fungiform papillae, spinal abnormalities, and sensory and sympathetic impairments, and recreates the same tissue-specific mis-splicing defect seen in FD patients. This is the first mouse model that can be used to evaluate in vivo the therapeutic effect of increasing IKAP levels by correcting the underlying FD splicing defect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Dietrich
- Department of Physiology, The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | | | - Heather M Downs
- Nerve Unit, Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology) and
| | - Gregory R Wojtkiewicz
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA and
| | - Shanta Alli
- Department of Physiology, The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ioannis Dragatsis
- Department of Physiology, The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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Treister R, Nielsen CS, Stubhaug A, Farrar JT, Pud D, Sawilowsky S, Oaklander AL. Response to the Letter to the Editor: Experimental Comparison of Parametric Versus Nonparametric Analyses of Data From the Cold Pressor Test. J Pain 2016; 17:128-9. [PMID: 26721380 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roi Treister
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | | | - Audun Stubhaug
- Department of Pain Management and Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - John T Farrar
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Dorit Pud
- Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Abstract
The best-known peripheral neuropathies are those affecting the large, myelinated motor and sensory fibers. These have well-established immunological causes and therapies. Far less is known about the somatic and autonomic "small fibers"; the unmyelinated C-fibers, thinly myelinated A-deltas, and postganglionic sympathetics. The small fibers sense pain and itch, innervate internal organs and tissues, and modulate the inflammatory and immune responses. Symptoms of small-fiber neuropathy include chronic pain and itch, sensory impairment, edema, and skin color, temperature, and sweating changes. Small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) also causes cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and urological symptoms, the neurologic origin of which often remains unrecognized. Routine electrodiagnostic study does not detect SFPN, so skin biopsies immunolabeled to reveal axons are recommended for diagnostic confirmation. Preliminary evidence suggests that dysimmunity causes some cases of small-fiber neuropathy. Several autoimmune diseases, including Sjögren and celiac, are associated with painful small-fiber ganglionopathy and distal axonopathy, and some patients with "idiopathic" SFPN have evidence of organ-specific dysimmunity, including serological markers. Dysimmune SFPN first came into focus in children and teenagers as they lack other risk factors, for example diabetes or toxic exposures. In them, the rudimentary evidence suggests humoral rather than cellular mechanisms and complement consumption. Preliminary evidence supports efficacy of corticosteroids and immunoglobulins in carefully selected children and adult patients. This paper reviews the evidence of immune causality and the limited data regarding immunotherapy for small-fiber-predominant ganglionitis, regional neuropathy (complex regional pain syndrome), and distal SFPN. These demonstrate the need to develop case definitions and outcome metrics to improve diagnosis, enable prospective trials, and dissect the mechanisms of small-fiber neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology and Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Murphy K, Oaklander AL, Elias G, Kathuria S, Long DM. Treatment of 213 Patients with Symptomatic Tarlov Cysts by CT-Guided Percutaneous Injection of Fibrin Sealant. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015; 37:373-9. [PMID: 26405086 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There has been a steady progression of case reports and a small surgical series that report successful surgical treatment of Tarlov cysts with concomitant relief of patients' symptoms and improvement in their neurological dysfunction, yet patients are still told that these lesions are asymptomatic by physicians. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of intervention in 213 consecutive patients with symptomatic Tarlov cysts treated by CT-guided 2-needle cyst aspiration and fibrin sealing. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was designed to assess outcomes in patients who underwent CT-guided aspiration and injection of ≥1 sacral Tarlov cyst at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 2003 and 2013. In all, 289 cysts were treated in 213 consecutive patients. All these patients were followed for at least 6 months, 90% were followed for 1 year, and 83% were followed for 3-6 years. The aspiration-injection procedure used 2 needles and was performed with the patients under local anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia. In the fibrin-injection stage of the procedure, a commercially available fibrin sealant was injected into the cyst through the deep needle (Tisseel VH). RESULTS One year postprocedure, excellent results were obtained in 104 patients (54.2% of patients followed), and good or satisfactory results were obtained in 53 patients (27.6%). Thus, 157 patients (81.8%) in all were initially satisfied with the outcome of treatment. At 3-6 years postprocedure, 74.0% of patients followed were satisfied with treatment. There were no clinically significant complications. CONCLUSIONS The aspiration-injection technique described herein constitutes a safe and efficacious treatment option that holds promise for relieving cyst-related symptoms in many patients with very little risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Murphy
- From the Department of Radiology (K.M., G.E.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A L Oaklander
- Departments of Neurology (A.L.O.) Pathology (Neuropathology) (A.L.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - G Elias
- From the Department of Radiology (K.M., G.E.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - S Kathuria
- Russell H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science (S.K.), Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore Maryland
| | - D M Long
- Neuroscience Consults (D.M.L.), Lutherville, Maryland
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Treister R, O'Neil K, Downs HM, Oaklander AL. Validation of the composite autonomic symptom scale 31 (COMPASS-31) in patients with and without small fiber polyneuropathy. Eur J Neurol 2015; 22:1124-30. [PMID: 25907824 DOI: 10.1111/ene.12717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The recently developed composite autonomic symptom score 31 (COMPASS-31) is a questionnaire that assess symptoms of dysautonomia. It was distilled from the well-established Autonomic Symptom Profile questionnaire. COMPASS-31 has not yet been externally validated. To do so, its psychometric properties and convergent validity in patients with and without objective diagnosis of small fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) were assessed. METHODS Internal validity and reliability of COMPASS-31 were assessed in participants with or without SFPN spanning the full range of severity of autonomic symptoms. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing results of the COMPASS-31 with the "gold standard" autonomic function testing that measures cardiovagal, adrenergic and sudomotor functions. Additionally, relationships between COMPASS-31 and the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Short Form Health Survey and 0-10 numeric pain scale were measured. COMPASS-31 and all other questionnaire results were compared between patients with or without evidence of SFPN, objectively confirmed by distal-leg PGP9.5-immunolabeled skin biopsy. RESULTS Amongst 66 participants (28 SFPN+, 38 SFPN-), COMPASS-31 total scores had excellent internal validity (Cronbach's α = 0.919), test-retest reliability (r(s) = 0.886; P < 0.001) and good convergent validity (r(s) = 0.474; P < 0.001). COMPASS-31 scores differed between subjects with or without SFPN (Z = -3.296, P < 0.001) and demonstrated fair diagnostic accuracy. Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.749 (P = 0.01, 95% confidence interval 0.627-0.871). CONCLUSIONS COMPASS-31 has good psychometric properties in the population of patients being evaluated for SFPN and thus it might be useful as an initial screening tool for the more expensive SFPN objective tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Treister
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K O'Neil
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - H M Downs
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A L Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Treister R, Nielsen CS, Stubhaug A, Farrar JT, Pud D, Sawilowsky S, Oaklander AL. Experimental comparison of parametric versus nonparametric analyses of data from the cold pressor test. J Pain 2015; 16:537-48. [PMID: 25801300 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Parametric statistical methods are common in human pain research. They require normally distributed data, but this assumption is rarely tested. The current study analyzes the appropriateness of parametric testing for outcomes from the cold pressor test (CPT), a common human experimental pain test. We systematically reviewed published CPT studies to quantify how often researchers test for normality and how often they use parametric versus nonparametric tests. We then measured the normality of CPT data from 7 independent small to medium cohorts and 1 study of >10,000 subjects. We then examined the ability of 2 common mathematical transformations to normalize our skewed data sets. Lastly, we performed Monte Carlo simulations on a representative data set to compare the statistical power of the parametric t-test versus the nonparametric Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test. We found that only 39% of published CPT studies (47/122) mentioned checking data distribution, yet 72% (88/122) used parametric statistics. Furthermore, among our 8 data sets, CPT outcomes were virtually always nonnormally distributed, and mathematical transformations were largely ineffective in normalizing them. The simulations demonstrated that the nonparametric Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test had greater statistical power than the parametric t-test for all scenarios tested: For small effect sizes, the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test had up to 300% more power. PERSPECTIVE These results demonstrate that parametric analyses of CPT data are routine but incorrect and that they likely increase the chances of failing to detect significant between-group differences. They suggest that nonparametric analyses become standard for CPT studies and that assumptions of normality be routinely tested for other types of pain outcomes as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Treister
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | | | - Audun Stubhaug
- Department of Pain Management and Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - John T Farrar
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Dorit Pud
- Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Fridman V, Oaklander AL, David WS, Johnson EA, Pan J, Novak P, Brown RH, Eichler FS. Natural history and biomarkers in hereditary sensory neuropathy type 1. Muscle Nerve 2015; 51:489-95. [PMID: 25042817 PMCID: PMC4484799 DOI: 10.1002/mus.24336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 (HSAN1) is most commonly caused by missense mutations in SPTLC1. In this study we mapped symptom progression and compared the utility of outcomes. Methods: We administered retrospective surveys of symptoms and analyzed results of nerve conduction, autonomic function testing (AFT), and PGP9.5-immunolabeled skin biopsies. Results: The first symptoms were universally sensory and occurred at a median age of 20 years (range 14–54 years). The onset of weakness, ulcers, pain, and balance problems followed sequentially. Skin biopsies revealed universally absent epidermal innervation at the distal leg with relative preservation in the thigh. Neurite density was highly correlated with total Charcot-Marie-Tooth Examination Score (CMTES; r2 = −0.8) and median motor amplitude (r2 = −0.75). Conclusions: These results confirm sensory loss as the initial symptom of HSAN1 and suggest that skin biopsy may be the most promising biomarker for future clinical trials. Muscle Nerve, 2015 Muscle Nerve 51: 489–495, 2015
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Fridman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
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Abstract
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is the current consensus-derived name for a syndrome usually triggered by limb trauma. Required elements include prolonged, disproportionate distal-limb pain and microvascular dysregulation (e.g., edema or color changes) or altered sweating. CRPS-II (formerly "causalgia") describes patients with identified nerve injuries. CRPS-I (formerly "reflex sympathetic dystrophy") describes most patients who lack evidence of specific nerve injuries. Diagnosis is clinical and the pathophysiology involves combinations of small-fiber axonopathy, microvasculopathy, inflammation, and brain plasticity/sensitization. Females have much higher risk and workplace accidents are a well-recognized cause. Inflammation and dysimmunity, perhaps facilitated by injury to the blood-nerve barrier, may contribute. Most patients, particularly the young, recover gradually, but treatment can speed healing. Evidence of efficacy is strongest for rehabilitation therapies (e.g., graded-motor imagery), neuropathic pain medications, and electric stimulation of the spinal cord, injured nerve, or motor cortex. Investigational treatments include ketamine, botulinum toxin, immunoglobulins, and transcranial neuromodulation. Nonrecovering patients should be re-evaluated for neurosurgically treatable causal lesions (nerve entrapment, impingement, infections, or tumors) and treatable potentiating medical conditions, including polyneuropathy and circulatory insufficiency. Earlier impressions that CRPS represents malingering or psychosomatic illness have been replaced by evidence that CRPS is a rare complication of limb injury in biologically susceptible individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Steven H Horowitz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
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Scripko P, Oaklander AL, Koeppen AH, Frosch MP, Schmahmann JD. A 40-year-old woman with difficulty going down stairs in high-heeled shoes. Ann Neurol 2015; 77:1-7. [PMID: 25380064 DOI: 10.1002/ana.24301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Scripko
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Nerve Injury Unit, Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston2Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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35
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Manning DC, Alexander G, Arezzo JC, Cooper A, Harden RN, Oaklander AL, Raja SN, Rauck R, Schwartzman R. Lenalidomide for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1: Lack of Efficacy in a Phase II Randomized Study. The Journal of Pain 2014; 15:1366-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Liu Y, Magro C, Loewenstein JI, Makar RS, Stowell CP, Dzik WH, Hochberg EP, Oaklander AL, Sobrin L. A Man with Paraneoplastic Retinopathy plus Small Fiber Polyneuropathy Associated with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma): Insights into Mechanisms. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2014; 23:405-9. [DOI: 10.3109/09273948.2014.884599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yingna Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,
| | - Cynthia Magro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA,
| | - John I. Loewenstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,
| | | | | | | | | | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology), Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lucia Sobrin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,
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Oaklander AL, Herzog ZD, Downs H, Klein MM. Objective evidence that small-fiber polyneuropathy underlies some illnesses currently labeled as fibromyalgia. Pain 2013; 154:2310-2316. [PMID: 23748113 PMCID: PMC3845002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2013] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a common, disabling syndrome that includes chronic widespread pain plus diverse additional symptoms. No specific objective abnormalities have been identified, which precludes definitive testing, disease-modifying treatments, and identification of causes. In contrast, small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN), despite causing similar symptoms, is definitionally a disease caused by the dysfunction and degeneration of peripheral small-fiber neurons. SFPN has established causes, some diagnosable and definitively treatable, eg, diabetes. To evaluate the hypothesis that some patients labeled as having fibromyalgia have unrecognized SFPN that is causing their illness symptoms, we analyzed SFPN-associated symptoms, neurological examinations, and pathological and physiological markers in 27 patients with fibromyalgia and in 30 matched normal controls. Patients with fibromyalgia had to satisfy the 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria plus present evidence of a physician's actual diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The study's instruments comprised the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), the Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS), distal-leg neurodiagnostic skin biopsies, plus autonomic-function testing (AFT). We found that 41% of skin biopsies from subjects with fibromyalgia vs 3% of biopsies from control subjects were diagnostic for SFPN, and MNSI and UENS scores were higher in patients with fibromyalgia than in control subjects (all P ≤ 0.001). Abnormal AFTs were equally prevalent, suggesting that fibromyalgia-associated SFPN is primarily somatic. Blood tests from subjects with fibromyalgia and SFPN-diagnostic skin biopsies provided insights into causes. All glucose tolerance tests were normal, but 8 subjects had dysimmune markers, 2 had hepatitis C serologies, and 1 family had apparent genetic causality. These findings suggest that some patients with chronic pain labeled as fibromyalgia have unrecognized SFPN, a distinct disease that can be tested for objectively and sometimes treated definitively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114
| | - Zeva Daniela Herzog
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114
| | - Heather Downs
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114
| | - Max M. Klein
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114
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Ferrari G, Nallasamy N, Downs H, Dana R, Oaklander AL. Corneal innervation as a window to peripheral neuropathies. Exp Eye Res 2013; 113:148-50. [PMID: 23769950 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2013.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The cornea receives the densest sensory innervation of the body, which is exclusively from small-fiber nociceptive (pain-sensing) neurons. These are similar to those in the skin of the legs, the standard location for neurodiagnostic skin biopsies used to diagnose small-fiber peripheral polyneuropathies. Many cancer chemotherapy agents cause dose-related, therapy-limiting, sensory-predominant polyneuropathy. Because corneal innervation can be detected non-invasively, it is a potential surrogate biomarker for skin biopsy measurements. Therefore, we compared hindpaw-skin and cornea innervation in mice treated with neurotoxic chemotherapy. Paclitaxel (0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) was administered to C57/Bl6 mice and peri-mortem cornea and skin biopsies were immunolabeled to reveal and permit quantitation of innervation. Both tissues demonstrated dose-dependent, highly correlated (r = 0.66) nerve fiber damage. These findings suggest that the quantification of corneal nerves may provide a useful surrogate marker for skin peripheral innervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Ferrari
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford St., Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that acquired small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN), previously uncharacterized in children, contributes to unexplained pediatric widespread pain syndromes. METHODS Forty-one consecutive patients evaluated for unexplained widespread pain beginning before age 21 had medical records comprehensively analyzed regarding objective diagnostic testing for SFPN (neurodiagnostic skin biopsy, nerve biopsy, and autonomic function testing), plus histories, symptoms, signs, other tests, and treatments. Healthy, demographically matched volunteers provided normal controls for SFPN tests. RESULTS Age at illness onset averaged 12.3 ± 5.7 years; 73% among this poly-ethnic sample were female (P = .001). Sixty-eight percent were chronically disabled, and 68% had hospitalizations. Objective testing diagnosed definite SFPN in 59%, probable SFPN in 17%, and possible SFPN in 22%. Only 1 of 41 had entirely normal SFPN test results. Ninety-eight percent of patients had other somatic complaints consistent with SFPN dysautonomia (90% cardiovascular, 82% gastrointestinal, and 34% urologic), 83% reported chronic fatigue, and 63% had chronic headache. Neurologic examinations identified reduced sensation in 68% and vasomotor abnormalities in 55%, including 23% with erythromelalgia. Exhaustive investigations for SFPN causality identified only history of autoimmune illnesses in 33% and serologic markers of disordered immunity in 89%. Treatment with corticosteroids and/or intravenous immune globulin objectively and subjectively benefited 80% of patients (12/15). CONCLUSIONS More than half among a large series of patients with childhood-onset, unexplained chronic widespread pain met rigorous, multitest, diagnostic criteria for SFPN, which extends the age range of acquired SFPN into early childhood. Some cases appeared immune-mediated and improved with immunomodulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 275 Charles St/Warren 310, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Max M. Klein
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
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Oaklander AL, Long DM, Larvie M, Davidson CJ. Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Case 7-2013. A 77-year-old woman with long-standing unilateral thoracic pain and incontinence. N Engl J Med 2013; 368:853-61. [PMID: 23445097 DOI: 10.1056/nejmcpc1114034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Abstract
A man with 25 years of mild left neck, arm, and leg paresthesias had initial MRI in 1996 identifying a left C3-4 dorsal horn cavernous hemangioma. In 1997, hemorrhage (C3-7) and resection induced left arm > leg proprioceptive loss and clumsiness. Three months after surgical resection, left upper-body pain recurred; 2 years later, disabling colocalizing itch recurred.(1) In 2012, ultra-high-resolution 7T MRI (figure) localized hemosiderin to specific dorsal horn laminae and detected rostral (C1-3) hypersignal invisible on conventional MRIs, most likely representing Wallerian degeneration.(2) These new imaging findings demonstrate the benefit of high-field spinal cord MRI and generate the hypothesis that his late-onset central itch might be related to delayed white matter degeneration.
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Treister R, Lang M, Klein MM, Oaklander AL. Non-invasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) of the Motor Cortex for Neuropathic Pain-At the Tipping Point? Rambam Maimonides Med J 2013; 4:e0023. [PMID: 24228166 PMCID: PMC3820296 DOI: 10.5041/rmmj.10130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The term "neuropathic pain" (NP) refers to chronic pain caused by illnesses or injuries that damage peripheral or central pain-sensing neural pathways to cause them to fire inappropriately and signal pain without cause. Neuropathic pain is common, complicating diabetes, shingles, HIV, and cancer. Medications are often ineffective or cause various adverse effects, so better approaches are needed. Half a century ago, electrical stimulation of specific brain regions (neuromodulation) was demonstrated to relieve refractory NP without distant effects, but the need for surgical electrode implantation limited use of deep brain stimulation. Next, electrodes applied to the dura outside the brain's surface to stimulate the motor cortex were shown to relieve NP less invasively. Now, electromagnetic induction permits cortical neurons to be stimulated entirely non-invasively using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Repeated sessions of many TMS pulses (rTMS) can trigger neuronal plasticity to produce long-lasting therapeutic benefit. Repeated TMS already has US and European regulatory approval for treating refractory depression, and multiple small studies report efficacy for neuropathic pain. Recent improvements include "frameless stereotactic" neuronavigation systems, in which patients' head MRIs allow TMS to be applied to precise underlying cortical targets, minimizing variability between sessions and patients, which may enhance efficacy. Transcranial magnetic stimulation appears poised for the larger trials necessary for regulatory approval of a NP indication. Since few clinicians are familiar with TMS, we review its theoretical basis and historical development, summarize the neuropathic pain trial results, and identify issues to resolve before large-scale clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Treister
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Cohen-Adad J, Buchbinder B, Oaklander AL. Cervical spinal cord injection of epidural corticosteroids: comprehensive longitudinal study including multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. Pain 2012; 153:2292-2299. [PMID: 22964435 PMCID: PMC3472087 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2012.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2011] [Revised: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite widespread use, the efficacy of epidural corticosteroid injections (ESI) for osteoarthritis-associated neck or radicular pain remains uncertain, so even rare serious complications enter into discussions about use. However, various factors impede investigation and publication of serious adverse events. To that end, we developed new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for spinal cord white matter quantification and used the best available physiological tests to characterize a cervical spinal cord lesion caused by inadvertent intramedullary injection of Depo-Medrol. A 29-year-old woman with mild cervical osteoarthritis had 2 years of headache and neck pain (concussion and whiplash) after 2 minor motor vehicle accidents. During C5-6 ESI, she developed new left-sided motor and sensory symptoms, and MRI demonstrated a new left dorsal spinal cord cavity. Mild left-sided motor and sensory symptoms have persisted for more than 2.5 years, during which time we performed serial neurological examinations, standard electrodiagnostics, somatosensory evoked potentials, and transcranial measurement of corticospinal central motor conduction time (CMCT). We used 3-Tesla MRI with a 32-channel coil developed for high-resolution cervical spinal cord structural imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and magnetization transfer (MT). T(2)(∗)-weighted signal and DTI and MT metrics showed delayed spread of the lesion across 4 vertebral levels rostrally, consistent with Wallerian degeneration within the ascending left dorsal columns. However, only CMCT metrics detected objective correlates of her left hemiparesis and bilateral hyperreflexia. DTI and MT metrics may better distinguish between post-traumatic demyelination and axonal degeneration than conventional MRI. These tests should be considered to better characterize similar spinal cord injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Cohen-Adad
- A.A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bradley Buchbinder
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anne Louise Oaklander
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Neurology and Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Oaklander AL. Development of CRPS after shingles: it's all about location. Pain 2012; 153:2309-2310. [PMID: 23059053 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2012.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 275 Charles St.,Warren Bldg. 310, Boston, MA, USA
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Oaklander AL. Chapter 31 Neuropathological examination of peripheral nerves in painful neuropathies (neuralgias). Handb Clin Neurol 2012; 81:463-XII. [PMID: 18808853 DOI: 10.1016/s0072-9752(06)80035-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
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Klein MM, Lee JW, Siegel SM, Downs HM, Oaklander AL. Endoneurial pathology of the needlestick-nerve-injury model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, including rats with and without pain behaviors. Eur J Pain 2012; 16:28-37. [PMID: 21676634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2011.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Current rodent models of neuropathic pain produce pain hypersensitivity in almost all lesioned animals and not all identified experimental effects are pain specific. 18G needlestick-nerve-injury (NNI) to one tibial nerve of outbred Sprague-Dawley rats models the phenotype of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a post-traumatic neuropathic pain syndrome, leaving roughly half of NNI rats with hyperalgesia. We compared endoneurial data from these divergent endophenotypes searching for pathological changes specifically associated with pain-behaviors. Tibial, sural, and common sciatic nerves from 12 NNI rats plus 10 nerves from sham-operated controls were removed 14 days post-surgery for morphometric analysis. PGP9.5(+) unmyelinated-fibers were quantitated in plantar hindpaw skin. Distal tibial nerves of NNI rats had endoneurial edema, 30% fewer axons, twice as many mast cells, and thicker blood-vessel walls than uninjured tibial nerves. However the only significant difference between nerves from hyperalgesic versus non-hyperalgesic NNI rats was greater endoneurial edema in hyperalgesic rats (p < 0.01). We also discovered significant axonal losses in uninjured ipsilateral sural nerves of NNI rats, demonstrating spread of neuropathy to nearby nerves formerly thought spared. Tibial and sural nerves contralateral to NNI had significant changes in endoneurial blood-vessels. Similar pathological changes have been identified in CRPS-I patients. The current findings suggest that severity of endoneurial vasculopathy and inflammation may correlate better with neuropathic pain behaviors than degree of axonal loss. Spread of pathological changes to nearby ipsilateral and contralateral nerves might potentially contribute to extraterritorial pain in CRPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Klein
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Oaklander AL, Wilson PR, Moskovitz PA, Manning DC, Lubenow T, Levine JD, Harden NR, Galer BS, Cooper MS, Bruehl S, Broatch J, Berde C, Bennett GJ. Response to “A new definition of neuropathic pain”. Pain 2012; 153:934-935. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2012.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
Patients with chronic itch are diagnosed and treated by dermatologists. However, itch is a neural sensation and some forms of chronic itch are the presenting symptoms of neurological diseases. Dermatologists need some familiarity with the most common neuropathic itch syndromes to initiate diagnostic testing and to know when to refer to a neurologist. This review summarizes current knowledge, admittedly incomplete, on neuropathic itch caused by diseases of the brain, spinal cord, cranial or spinal nerve-roots, and peripheral nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Nerve Injury Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 02114, USA.
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Abstract
Chronic itch can be caused by dysfunctions of itch-sensing neurons that produce sensory hallucinations of pruritogenic stimuli. The cellular and molecular mechanisms are still unknown. All neurological disease categories have been implicated, and neurological causes should be considered for patients with otherwise-unexplained itch. The same neurological illnesses that cause neuropathic pain can also or instead cause itch. These include shingles (particularly of the head or neck), small-fiber polyneuropathies, radiculopathies (eg, notalgia paresthetica and brachioradial pruritis), and diverse lesions of the trigeminal nerve, root, and central tracts. Central nervous system lesions affecting sensory pathways, including strokes, multiple sclerosis, and cavernous hemangiomas, can cause central itch. Neuropathic itch is a potent trigger of reflex and volitional scratching although this provides only fleeting relief. Rare patients whose lesion causes sensory loss as well as neuropathic itch can scratch deeply enough to cause painless self-injury. The most common location is on the face (trigeminal trophic syndrome). Treating neuropathic itch is difficult; antihistamines, corticosteroids, and most pain medications are largely ineffective. Current treatment recommendations include local or systemic administration of inhibitors of neuronal excitability (especially local anesthetics) and barriers to reduce scratching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Louise Oaklander
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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