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PubMed1987

The peripheral nervous system in multiple sclerosis. A review and pathogenetic hypothesis.

Despite the rarity of such observations in autopsy material, peripheral nervous system involvement in patients with multiple sclerosis is more common than suspected, judging from results of sophisticated electrophysiological and teased nerve fiber studies. The existence of a number of well documented cases of overt peripheral neuropathy in MS patients suggests that an etiological link may exist between the two conditions. The proposal has been made that one of the obligatory steps in the pathogenesis of MS is an alteration of the blood-brain barrier, which results in most instances from an immunologically induced vasculopathy due to a non-specific viral infection. Whereas the CNS responds by the formation of MS plaques, the PNS lesion is that of the typical post-infectious inflammatory polyneuropathy. In some MS patients an unusual degree of immunological vulnerability causes onion-bulb formations to develop as a result of repeated antigenic challenges. In MS patients the onion-bulb formation is the PNS analog of the CNS plaque: both result from the same pathogenetic mechanism.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Central and peripheral nervous system dysfunction in workers exposed to lead, zinc and copper. A follow-up study of visual and somatosensory evoked potentials.

To evaluate the effects of lead, zinc and copper in the causation of physiological changes in the central and peripheral nervous systems, we measured the latencies of pattern-reversal, visually-evoked potential (VEP) and of short-latency, somatosensory-evoked potential (SSEP) twice at a 12-month interval in nineteen gun metal founders exposed to lead, zinc and copper. The workers' initial blood-lead (BPb) concentrations ranged from 16 to 64 (mean 42) micrograms/dl. BPb and plasma zinc and copper concentrations decreased significantly during the study period owing to the improvement in working environments. In the first examinations, we found that the N2 latency of VEP (conduction time from the retina to the visual cortex) and the N9-N13 latency of SSEP (conduction from the brachial plexus to the medulla oblongata) were both significantly prolonged in exposed workers. In the second examination, the N2 latency had returned to the "normal" level. These changes were correlated positively with changes in the indicators of lead absorption and inversely with changes in the indices of zinc and copper absorption. In the first examination, the N9 latency of SSEP (median nerve conduction) was also found to be significantly prolonged. This change also returned to normal over the study period in proportion to the reduction in BPb and the increase in intra-erythrocytic enzyme delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity. On the other hand, no significant prolongation of the N13-N20 latency of SSEP (central nerve conduction) was found in either of the two examinations; this latency and alteration over the study period were inversely correlated with the indicators of zinc and copper absorption. These data suggest that lead interferes with both peripheral and central nerve conduction. zinc and copper appear to antagonize strongly the lead-induced conduction delay in the upper central nervous system, but only weakly in the lower central and peripheral nervous systems.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Localization and molecular heterogeneity of cholecystokinin in the central and peripheral nervous system.

Immunocytochemistry and radioimmunochemistry demonstrate the occurrence of the gastrointestinal hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) in both the central and peripheral nervous system of the guinea pig. CCK nerves are particularly numerous in the neocortex, the hippocampus, the amygdaloid nuclei, the hypothalamus, the spinal cord and in the colon. The nerves contain 5 molecular components of CCK, with gel chromatographical elution constants (Kav) of 0.05, 0.50, 0.90, 1.10 and 1.30, respectively. The four latter correspond to triacontatriapeptide CCK and its COOH-terminal dodeca-, octa- and tetrapeptide portions, respectively. Cholecystokinins are hence widely distributed in the nervous system and occur in the substantial quantities (greater than or equal to 0.2 nmol CCK-8-equiv./g) in several distinct regions.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Gene expression of high- (p140trk) and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR) in the adult and aged human peripheral nervous system.

Steady-state mRNA levels and immunoreactive proteins for high- (p140trk) and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR) in the adult and aged human peripheral nervous system (PNS) were examined in autopsied material. trk mRNA expression was observed only in the sympathetic and dorsal root ganglia, while LNGFR mRNA was expressed widely through the PNS as well as non-neural tissues. Immunoreactive trk proto-oncogene product (p140trk) and LNGFR occurred in the perikarya of the subset of the sympathetic and dorsal root ganglion neurons, but only LNGFR immunoreactivity also occurred in the perineurium and the outer layer of the vessels. The spatial patterns of the trk and LNGFR gene expression in the adult human PNS were similar to those observed in the rat, mouse and chick, and their expression was well preserved in the aged.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Detection of scrapie agent in the peripheral nervous system of a diseased sheep.

In an attempt to determine whether scrapie infectivity can be found in the peripheral nervous system of a scrapie-diseased sheep, mice were inoculated intracerebrally or intraperitoneally with 10-fold dilutions of homogenates of Nervus (N.) axillaris, N. ulnaris, N. medianus, N. ischiadicus, N. tibialis, N. fibularis, and N.saphenus. Mice were observed for clinical signs of scrapie for 700 days and their brains were analyzed for accumulation of pathological prion protein by immunoblot. Substantial amounts of infectivity were found in all peripheral nerves tested except N.saphenus. Infectivity at titers of approximately 10(4.5) mouse infectious units (MIU)/g were detected in N. axillaris and N. ischiadicus, of approximately 10(3.0) MIU/g in N. ulnaris, N. medianus, N. tibialis, and N.fibularis, and of 10(6) MIU/g in the cerebellum. Since muscles are traversed by the nerve tracts tested, mutton of scrapie-diseased animals should not be regarded as being free of scrapie agent.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Giant axonal neuropathy. A clinical entity affecting the central as well as the peripheral nervous system.

An 8-year-old girl had progressive muscle weakness and a unique posture of the lower limbs, areflexia, distal sensory impairment, and remarkably kinky hair. Histologic examination of the sural nerve showed giant axons filled with neurofilamentous masses. The clinical and histologic findings resembled those of recent cases reported as "giant axonal neuropathy." Our patient's precocious puberty, Babinski's sign, and electroencephalographic abnormalities suggested central nervous system involvement. Two cases previously reported and the present one appear to represent a new clinical entity that affects the central and the peripheral nervous system.

Axons↗
PubMed1997

Detection of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)-type glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and its mRNA in human lymphocytes.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astroglial marker, has been detected in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in a shorter version and its mRNA in a longer form (beta-type) than the brain alpha-type. To determine the characteristics of the GFAP gene expression in nonneural cells, we have investigated its in vivo transcription and translation products in human lymphocytes. Using RT-PCR, we demonstrate that the GFAP gene is transcribed in these cells. Most or all of the mRNA resulting from this transcription was longer than the brain-type at its 5' end and thus may correspond to the beta-type. In addition, immunoblotting of lymphocyte extracts with a monoclonal antibody revealed a 41 KDa fragment instead of the 50 KDa expected from brain GFAP. These results suggest that GFAP expression in lymphocytes is preferentially of the PNS beta-type giving rise to longer mRNA and shorter protein. However, compared to two other astroglial mRNAs (S-100beta and aldolase C) which were synthesized in significant amounts in lymphocytes, GFAP mRNA was detected in minute amounts representing 0.03% of the brain level. This low expression may subserve a special role in lymphocytes since it is translated.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1982

[Determination of myelin marker enzymes in the blood serum in peripheral nervous system diseases].

The activity of 2',3'-cyclonucleotide-3-phosphohydrolase (CNP) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) was studied for the first time in the blood of patients with diseases of the peripheral nervous system. A spectrophotometric method for CNP activity detection was described. The activity absent from the blood of normal subjects was detectable with statistical significance in the patients with the diseases in question. Analogous results were obtained in the animals with an experimental injury to the myelin coat of the peripheral nerves. Study into the activity of LAP in the pathological conditions under consideration revealed no significant deviations. It is emphasized that CNP may transfer to the blood serum from myelin decay foci and that the method described may be used for diagnostic purposes.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed2006

A systematic review of the effects of shoes and other ankle or foot appliances on balance in older people and people with peripheral nervous system disorders.

The objective of this paper is to identify and review all publications on effects ankle and/or foot appliances (AFA) on balance in older people (>or=60 years) and patients with peripheral nervous system disorders (PNSD). These two groups account for the majority of the population with deteriorated balance due to peripheral somatosensory feedback problems. To provide a context for understanding and interpreting the studies that have been published to date, we will briefly summarize current theories on the role of somatosensory mechanisms in control of balance and how balance can be affected by AFA. A systematic literature review is presented in which publications were searched in Medline, Embase and Recal. In total 146 papers were identified and 18 were selected based on title and abstract for qualitative assessment by two independent reviewers. Based on assessment of the total articles, seven of the 18 papers fulfilled predetermined qualitative criteria and were selected for detailed review. No definitive conclusions can be drawn concerning the effects of AFA on balance in older people or in patients with PNSD because of the small number of studies and the weak level of evidence. The available literature seems to indicate that a training program may be helpful in ensuring the effectiveness of an appliance. Insoles with tubing or vibrating elements may improve balance, whereas thick or soft soles may deteriorate balance. The effects of these different types of insoles or soles are consistent with theories about somatosensory mechanisms that play a role in control of balance. More and better quality research is needed to support the prevalent use of appliances in these populations.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

[The role of magnetic stimulation in diagnosis of the peripheral nervous system].

Magnetic stimulation has recently been introduced as a new method for stimulation of neuronal tissues. Up to now most investigators were emphasized the advantages of this method for the investigation of the central nervous system. With this paper we want to show that magnetic stimulation may also be useful for the examination of the peripheral nervous system. Both, magnetic and electrical stimulation, seem to employ the same stimulation mechanisms in the nervous tissue. The results obtained with both methods should therefore be comparable. By measuring EMG-latencies after electrical and magnetic stimulation (Fig. 1) the exact site of magnetic stimulation can be determined. Magnetic stimulation offers major advantages over electrical stimulation: 1) Magnetic stimulation is a painless method even when high stimulus intensities are used. 2) Magnetic stimulation can reach deep neuronal structures that are not easily accessible using electrical stimulation (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). 3) Using a wide range of stimulus intensities (Fig. 4, Fig. 5) magnetic stimulation provides a much better descrimination of different components of the compound muscle action potential than electrical stimulation. Magnetic stimulation seems to be a promising new method for the electrodiagnostic examination of pain- sensitive patients, especially when deep-lying peripheral nerves have to be investigated.

Electric Stimulation↗
PubMed1988

Gene expression of the central and peripheral nervous system myelin membrane 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase in development.

Determination of gene expression for the 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) during development shows that the amount of translatable RNA encoding this enzyme increases in parallel with myelination in the mouse brain. The two isoforms of this enzyme are developmentally regulated in parallel, in contrast to several other myelin proteins. By comparison, the amount of translatable RNA encoding CNP in the peripheral nervous system (rat sciatic nerve) remains constant during development. The two isoforms that are expressed are identical in apparent molecular weight to rat brain CNP. Moreover, no apparent differences were detected by proteolytic digestion (Cleveland mapping) of CNP 1 from the central or peripheral nervous systems.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗