腓骨肌萎缩症X型伴有可逆性中枢神统系统受累

目的探讨的腓骨肌萎缩症X型的临床特点和引起中枢神经系统受累可能的发病机制。方法报道1例国内未报道过的CMTX可引起中枢神经系统受累Cx32基因突变,分析该例患者的临床、电生理及病理改变特点。结果该患者为基因检查确诊Arg424Trp(R142W)突变的CMTX。临床存在可逆性眼震,电生理提示感觉运动神经受累均受累,轴索髓鞘均损害。肌肉活检提示慢性神经源性病理改变。周围神经活检示周围神经髓鞘损害为主。BAEP提示可逆性中枢性损害。结论 R142W突变的CMTX可以在应激条件下出现可逆性中枢神经系统损害。     

腓骨肌萎缩症X1型1个家系的临床、电生理和Connexin32基因突变分析

目的观察腓骨肌萎缩症(CMT)X1型的临床、电生理特点和Connexin32(Cx32)基因突变情况.方法对1个无基因重复的临床可疑的CMTX1家系中的3例患者进行详尽的临床和神经电生理检查,并应用变性高效液相色谱结合混和样品池法和DNA序列测定对包括先证者在内的3名成员的Cx32基因进行突变检测.结果 该家系中的病人发生了Gly12Ser,50名正常人中未发现上述改变,提示该突变为致病性突变.家系中男性病人临床症状重于女性;电生理特点为脱髓鞘改变;同一病人的不同神经间存在异质性.结论 Gly12Ser突变可能导致原发性脱髓鞘性神经病,不伴有特殊的临床表现.     

X连锁腓骨肌萎缩症Cx32基因的突变、临床和电生理特点

目的 分析X连锁腓骨肌萎缩症（CMTX）患者Cx32基凶的突变及其临床表现和电生理特点、方法应用多聚酶链反应一单链构象多态性分析结合DNA直接测序的方法,对24例无周围髓鞘蛋白（PMP）22基因大片段重复突变,家系中无男传男的腓骨肌萎缩症（CMT）先证者进行Cx32基因的突变分析;对先证者及其家系内患者进行临床和电生理检查。结果 在6个X连锁遗传家系和1例散发患者中发现了7个不同的Cx32基因突变,其中4个家系临床分型为CMTI型,2个家系为CMT中间型,散发病例为CMT1型检测到有Cx32基因突变的家系成员共38例,其巾男性20例,全部为CMTX患者;女性18例,其中6例为CMTX患者,12例为无临床症状的携带者;26例患者均为周围神经轻、中度受累。结论 CMTX的遗传方式可为X连锁显性、X连锁隐性遗传,也可为散发。根据临床和电生理特点分为CMTI型或CMT中间型,多为周围神经轻、中度受累,男性患者的症状通常较女性重。在没有检测到PMP22基因大片段重复突变和无男传男的CMT家系中应首先进行Cx32基因突变分析。     

腓骨肌萎缩症电生理、病理和基因定位研究

目的研究腓骨肌萎缩症(CMT)临床特征、基因测定、病理及神经电生理检查在其诊断和分型中的价值。方法收集50例CMT患者临床资料,对其进行肌电图检查及腓肠神经活检,并采用PCR技术直接测序进行基因突变分析。结果 40例CMT患者双下肢运动及感觉传导速度减慢(双胫、腓总神经为15~28 m/s,腓肠神经为12~30 m/s),10例双下肢未引出反应电位;50例正中神经运动及感觉传导速度亦减慢分别为19~48 m/s和20~52 m/s。CMT患者神经传导速度减慢的程度和临床表现的严重程度并不平行。腓肠神经活检符合慢性脱髓鞘部分伴轴索改变性周围神经病。PMP22、Cx32、MPZ、MFN2、GDAP1致病基因的突变分析发现14例患者存在PMP22基因的大片段重复突变(28%),13例患者存在Cx32基因的点突变(26%),4例患者存在MPZ基因的点突变(8%),3例患者存在MFN2基因的点突变(6%),未发现GDAP1基因的突变,16例患者未检测出上述基因突变。结论电生理、病理、基因测定在CMT的诊断及分型中有重要价值。     

X连锁Charcot-Marie-Tooth病1型六个家系的病理和基因突变特点

目的 报道6个X连锁Charcot-Marie-Tooth病1型(CMTX1)家系的神经病理和基因型改变特点.方法 6个CMTX1家系的先证者均为男性,发病年龄11 ～24岁,出现下肢远端为主的肌无力、腱反射减低和轻度感觉减退.先证者1伴随发作性白质脑病,先证者5伴随小脑性共济失调.12名家系成员也出现周围神经损害症状,另7名存在高弓足或腱反射减低.对6例先证者行腓肠神经活体组织检查,并对6例先证者、8名受累家庭成员和10名无症状家系成员及50名健康女性进行缝隙连接蛋白32( Cx32)基因测序.结果 6例先证者有髓神经纤维出现轻-中度减少伴轴索再生变性,5例出现薄髓鞘神经纤维,其中3例伴洋葱球样结构,2例伴炎细胞浸润.6个家系的Cx32基因存在5种新突变和1种同义突变,即L20T、I127F、D178G、A197V错义突变,403_404T insT插入突变和L10L沉默突变,10名无症状家系成员中有4名女性为携带者,6名男性和健康对照均没有这些基因突变.结论 该组CMTX1患者的周围神经病理改变以慢性轴索损害为主,Cx32基因较多新突变的出现提示我国CMTX1患者具有个体突变特点.     

突变缝隙连接蛋白32在X连锁Charcot-Marie-Tooth病1型患者的外周血管内皮细胞异常表达

目的 观察突变缝隙连接蛋白32( Cx32)在X连锁的Charcot-Marie-Tooth病1型(CMTX1)患者血管内皮细胞的表达规律。方法 对3例经Cx32基因检查证实的CMTX1患者（突变位点分别为c.379A＞T、c.533A＞G和c.590C＞T点突变）进行腓肠神经活体组织检查,同时取非CMTXI患者的神经作为对照。以第Ⅷ因子、缝隙连接蛋白40和Cx32单克隆抗体为一抗,对患者及对照者标本中的神经滋养血管进行免疫荧光标记。同时构建携带上述3个点突变的以增强型绿色荧光蛋白(enhanced green fluorescence protein,EGFP)为报告基因的重组质粒pEGFP-N1-CX32质粒,转染至HeLa细胞,并进行Cx32和内质网标志蛋白葡萄糖调节蛋白78免疫荧光染色,以观察Cx32蛋白在HeLa细胞的分布规律。结果 Cx32蛋白呈一定间隔规律性点状表达于对照组血管内皮细胞间的缝隙连接部位,与Cx40蛋白共表达;3例Cx32基因突变患者的血管内皮细胞膜的Cx32蛋白表达显著减少。细胞转染显示c.379A＞T突变的Cx32蛋白主要以团块状蓄积在HeLa细胞的胞质内,c.533A＞G突变的Cx32蛋白仅有少量表达于核周,c.590C＞T突变的Cx32蛋白在胞膜上和胞质内均有点状分布,较野生型显著减少。3种突变的Cx32蛋白在HeLa细胞内的分布和内质网标记不重叠。结论 不同Cx32基因突变均可导致CMTX1的血管内皮细胞膜Cx32蛋白表达下降,该蛋白主要聚集在细胞的内质网外。     

神经活检在周围神经疾病诊断中的意义及与电生理检查相关性分析

目的探讨神经活检在周围神经疾病诊断中的意义,以及神经活检与电生理检查的相关性。方法 12例周围神经病患者均予腓肠神经活检、神经电生理检查,比较二者对轴索、髓鞘损害的诊断情况,统计电生理检查与神经活检诊断的符合率。结果 (1)电生理检查结果检出轴索损害/髓鞘损害9例,神经活检结果发现11例患者伴有髓鞘或轴索损害。(2)神经活检对于周围神经疾病诊断有决定性意义有3例,其余9例也均起到了证实临床诊断的作用。(3)光镜诊断、电镜诊断与电生理检查结果比较无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论神经活检技术对于发现间质改变及亚临床、亚电生理神经损害有明显优势,对于判断周围神经疾病患者的损害类型仍需联合电生理检查进行综合诊断。     

遗传性压力易感性周围神经病散发病例临床及电生理分析

目的探讨遗传性压力易感性周围神经病(HNPP)散发病例的临床及电生理特征。方法回顾性分析5例基因诊断明确的散发性HNPP患者的临床及电生理资料。结果本组5例患者,病例1,男,27岁,右手麻木无力20 d;病例2,男,63岁,右足下垂15 a,左前臂麻木疼痛4 a,右足疼痛15 d;病例3,男,13岁,双手麻木无力21 d;病例4,男,15岁,左上臂无力伴右手麻木无力7 d;病例5,男,27岁,右手麻木14 d。5例患者均无家族史,2例脑脊液蛋白升高。5例神经电生理检查提示广泛周围神经脱髓鞘性损害,神经易嵌压处运动神经传导速度减慢。基因检测显示5例患者均存在周围髓鞘蛋白22基因杂合缺失突变。结论对于临床表现为单神经病或多发性单神经病,电生理表现为广泛性神经易嵌压部位脱髓鞘损害的散发性患者,需注意HNPP,明确诊断需行周围髓鞘蛋白22基因检测。     

多发性硬化脊髓型合并周围神经病变

目的：评价多发性硬化（MS）脊髓型的临床特征,脊髓磁共振成像（MRI）,神经电生理检查和腓肠神经活检的诊断价值。方法：分析14例MS脊髓型临床表现,脊髓MRI,神经电生理和腓神经活组织病理检查。结果：其临床表现为两侧肢体不对称性运动和感觉障碍的脊髓内部损害,可伴有发作性症状,有缓解和复发,脊髓MRI可以明确脱髓鞘部位,表现髓内纵行条带状或斑片状长T1长T2信号,脊髓略增粗,诱发电位有极高的敏感性,肌电图和腓肠神经病理提示周围神经脱髓鞘改变。结论：MRI、神经电生理检查及周围神经活检对MS脊髓型的早期诊断和治疗起重要作用。     

小热休克蛋白27基因突变所致腓骨肌萎缩症患者的临床、电生理和病理特点

目的探讨小热休克蛋白27基因(smallheat shockprotein27,Hsp27)突变所致腓骨肌萎缩症(Charcot Marie Toothdisease,CMT)患者的临床、电生理和病理特点。方法对发现Hsp27基因同一突变(C379T)的4个常染色体显性遗传CMT2家系的7例患者的临床表现、电生理和病理检查进行回顾性分析。结果患者主要临床特点为35～60岁发病,平均病程(17.6±6.6)年,发病后平均(12.6±4.9)年需要扶拐杖行走,平均(20.7±5.7)年完全丧失行走能力;患者感觉障碍轻,神经电生理示下肢神经传导速度呈中至重度减慢,但上肢正常或轻度减慢,神经活检证实为慢性轴突性神经病,肌肉活检显示神经原性肌萎缩。结论Hsp27基因C397T突变可引起CMT2表现型,突变家系的临床表现与文献报道的该基因突变CMT2F家系有所不同。     

Mutations in GDAP1: autosomal recessive CMT with demyelination and axonopathy

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 gene (GDAP1) were recently shown to be responsible for autosomal recessive (AR) demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 4A (CMT4A) as well as AR axonal CMT with vocal cord paralysis. METHODS: The coding region of GDAP1 was screened for the presence of mutations in seven families with AR CMT in which the patients were homozygous for markers of the CMT4A locus at chromosome 8q21.1. RESULTS: A nonsense mutation was detected in exon 5 (c.581C>G, S194X), a 1-bp deletion in exon 6 (c.786delG, G262fsX284), and a missense mutation in exon 6 (c.844C>T, R282C). CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in GDAP1 are a frequent cause of AR CMT. They result in an early-onset, severe clinical phenotype. The range of nerve conduction velocities (NCV) is variable. Some patients have normal or near normal NCV, suggesting an axonal neuropathy, whereas others have severely slowed NCV compatible with demyelination. The peripheral nerve biopsy findings are equally variable and show features of demyelination and axonal degeneration.     

Physiological approach to peripheral neuropathy. Conventional nerve conduction studies and magnetic motor root stimulation]

In this communication, I first show some points we should mind in the conventional peripheral nerve conduction studies and later present clinical usefulness of motor root stimulation for peripheral neuropathy. CONVENTIONAL NERVE CONDUCTION STUDIES (NCS): The most important point revealed by the conventional NCSs is whether neuropathy is due to axonal degeneration or demyelinating process. Precise clinical examination with this neurophysiological information leads us to a diagnosis and treatment. Poor clinical examination makes these findings useless. Long standing axonal degeneration sometimes induces secondary demyelination at the most distal part of involved nerves. On the other hand, severe segmental demyelination often provokes secondary axonal degeneration at distal parts to the site of demyelination. These secondary changes show the same abnormal neurophysiological findings as those of the primary involvement. We should be careful of this possibility when interpreting the results of NCS. NCS of sensory nerves is not good at revealing demyelinating process. Mild temporal dispersion of potentials often reduces an amplitude of SNAP or loss of responses, which usually suggests axonal degeneration, because of short duration of sensory nerve potentials. MOTOR ROOT STIMULATION IN PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY: Magnetic stimulation with a coil placed over the spine activates motor roots and evokes EMG responses from upper and lower limb muscles. The site of activation with this method was determined to be where the motor roots exit from the spinal canal (intervertebral foramina) (J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 52 (9): 1025-1032, 1989) because induced currents are very dense at such a foramen made by electric resistant bones. In several kinds of peripheral neuropathy, this method has been used to detect a lesion at a proximal part of the peripheral nerves which can not be detected by the conventional NCSs. I present a few cases in whom motor root stimulation had a clinical merit. In a patient with neuralgic amyotrophy, motor root stimulation disclosed a conduction block between the cervical intervertebral foramen and brachial plexus which was not detected by conventional NCSs. Motor root stimulation clearly revealed demyelination in a patient with CIDP in whom sural nerve biopsy findings suggested axonal degeneration, that must be secondary to demyelination. In a patient with tomacular neuropathy, magnetic stimulation revealed conduction delay in the spinal nerve within the spinal canal (Clin Neurol (Jap), 28: 447-452, 1988). Based on the above results, combination of NCSs and magnetic motor root stimulation must brush up the neurophysiological approach to peripheral neuropathy.     

Charcot-Marie Tooth type X (CMTX) disease: clinical and genetic characteristics of eleven patients

Charcot-Marie-Tooth type X disease (CMTX) is the second most frequent inherited neuropathy, after CMT1A type associated with 17p11.2-p12 duplication. CMTX is inherited as X dominant trait and is caused by point mutations in Cx32 gene. In the study the first Polish group of 11 patients with CMTX from 4 families is presented. The following four mutations were found in Cx32 gene: Gly110Asp, Val 152 Asp, Arg 183 His and Glu 208 Gly. CMTX is characterized by X dominant trait of inheritance, a mild clinical course in affected females and slowly progressive atrophy and weakness of distal limb muscles. Both electrophysiological and sural nerve biopsy studies show axonal changes with secondary demyelination.     

A NOVEL MUTATION OF CONNEXIN-32 GENE IN A CMTX ITALIAN FAMILY

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth is an inherited motor and sensory neuropathy associated with mutations in GJB1, a gene on chromosome X coding for the gap junction protein "connexin 32" (Cx32). Cx 32 gene is expressed in both peripheral and central nervous system myelin.
We describe a family affected by X-linked CMT neuropathy with a novel point mutation in Cx32 gene, in which the mother, the putative carrier, and three affected sons were examined. The affected sons (32, 35, 38 yrs) presented a motor-sensory slowly progressive neuropathy mainly involving lower limbs. Nerve conduction study showed both axonal and demyelinating pattern of denervation. Evoked potentials indicated visual and brainstem auditory pathway involvement. The mother showed subclinical electrophysiological abnormalities in nerve conduction velocities.
By mutational analysis of GJB1 using SSCP and sequencing of candidate regions, a previously undescribed missense mutation in the exon 2, codon 151, was found. This mutation was due to a transversion (TAT-> TCT) leading to a Tyr->Ser substitution in the 2nd extracellular domain.
Our findings further stress the wide variability in the spectrum of Cx32 mutations associated to CMTX, making it worthwhile to deepen knowledge about genotypic–phenotypic interrelationship in this disease.     

X-LINKED DOMINANT CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH NEUROPATHY: ANALYSIS OF A PEDIGREE WITH A NOVEL MUTATION OF CONNEXIN 32

Objective: To report a family with X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMTX) with a novel mutation of connexin 32 (Cx32).
Background: Cx32, a gap-junction protein, is expressed in various neural and non-neural tissues. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), Cx32 is expressed by the Schwann cell and it is believed to form reflexive gap-junctions at the Schmidt-Lantermann incisures and paranodes; in the central nervous system, Cx32 is expressed by neurons and oligodendrocytes. Mutations of Cx32 causes an apparently tissue-specific disorder of PNS: CMTX.
Methods: We examined, clinically and electrophysiologically, 2 brothers with CMT and their asymptomatic mother. We performed a sural nerve biopsy in the 29-year-old proband and analysed the Cx32 gene (GJB1) by direct nucleotide sequencing.
Results: We detected a novel GTA→GAA of GJB1 that is predicted to cause a Val23Glu substitution in the first transmembrane domain of Cx32. NCV studies disclosed features of a demyelinating neuropathy in the severely-affected hemizygous brother, and slowing of the sensory conduction velocity in the sural nerve in the mother who showed pes cavus and areflexia. In all three examined patients, BAEPs showed both delayed wave 1 and prolonged interpeak-latency-time (IPL I-V); central motor conduction time by MEPs was normal. The nerve biopsy in the proband was consistent with a primary axonal degeneration.
Conclusions: Cx32 mutations may lead also to a dysfunction of the CNS. Electrophysiological abnormalities of the CNS pathways may orientate the diagnosis of CMT towards Cx32.     

Persistent multifocal conduction block in vasculitic neuropathy with IgM anti-gangliosides

A 30-year-old man with essential cryoglobulinemia presented with an axonal neuropathy and was found to have vasculitis at nerve biopsy. After 44 months, in accord with clinical deterioration, motor conduction studies showed excessive temporal dispersion multifocally, with partial conduction block persisting for 3 years. Antibody testing showed the presence of IgM anti-GM1, anti-GD1a, and anti-GM2 antibodies. Transitory conduction block has been reported occasionally in patients with vasculitis. The persistent multifocal conduction abnormalities found in this patient were more likely due to a superimposed immunomediated demyelination rather than to chronic nerve ischemia secondary to vasculitis.     

Effect of an R69C mutation in the myelin protein zero gene on myelination and ion channel subtypes

BACKGROUND: Most mutations in the myelin protein zero gene (MPZ) typically cause a severe demyelinating/dysmyelinating neuropathy that begins in infancy or an adult-onset axonal neuropathy. Axonal degeneration in the late-onset H10P mutation may be caused by the disruption of axoglial interaction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sural nerve biopsy samples from a patient with early-onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1B caused by an arg69-to-cys (R69C) mutation. Design and PARTICIPANTS: Biopsies of sural nerves were performed 20 years apart in a patient with an R69C mutation (early onset). In addition, peripheral nerves were obtained from autopsy material from a patient with a T95M mutation (late onset). These nerves were analyzed using light microscopy of semithin sections, teased nerve fiber immunohistochemical analysis, electron microscopy, and immunologic electron microscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pathological changes in sural nerve. RESULTS: Both R69C biopsy samples showed prominent demyelination and onion bulb formation, unlike the late-onset T95M mutation, which showed primarily axonal degeneration with no onion bulbs. The sural biopsy sample obtained 20 years earlier from the R69C patient showed minimal difference from the present sample, consistent with the lack of clinical progression during the 2 decades. Teased fiber immunohistochemical analysis of R69C revealed voltage-gated sodium channel subtype 1.8 expressions at the nodes of Ranvier around the areas of segmental demyelination. Internodal length in all R69C nerve fibers was invariably short (>94% of all internodes are <150 mum). CONCLUSIONS: Morphologic abnormalities in this early-onset R69C neuropathy were severe in childhood but progressed very slowly after adolescence. The switch to voltage-gated sodium channel subtype 1.8 expression at the nodes may provide clues into the pathogenesis of this case of early-onset neuropathy, and the short internodes may contribute to the extremely slowed conduction velocities in this case (<10 m/s).     

Conduction block in vasculitic neuropathy

Vasculitis involving peripheral nerves usually presents as an acute asymmetrical axonal neuropathy. We report a 67-year-old man with a symmetrical subacute neuropathy in which nerve conduction studies showed prominent conduction block, a finding indicative of demyelination. Sural nerve biopsy showed a vasculitic neuropathy with invasion of blood vessel walls by inflammatory cells and a mixture of nerve fiber loss and demyelination. The demyelination in this case was presumably a consequence of subinfarctive nerve ischemia. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21:1084–1088, 1998.