This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
Background: Activated macrophages and T lymphocytes may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Both cell types secrete tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), which has toxic effects on myelin and endothelial cells.
Methods: The serum concentration of TNFα was measured by ELISA and compared with clinical and electrophysiological profiles in 20 patients with CIDP.
Results: An increased serum level of TNFα was detected in 5 (25%) patients and was associated with subacute progression, severe neurologic disabilities, and symmetric weakness involving proximal as well as distal muscles. TNFα levels increased during the active phase in this subgroup of patients. The levels of TNFα correlated with the severity of demyelinating conduction abnormalities in the intermediate as well as distal nerve segments, suggesting demyelination diffusely distributed along the nerves.
Conclusion: Circulating TNFα increases during the active phase in a subgroup of CIDP patients and may play a role in the pathogenesis of demyelination and the breakdown of the blood–nerve barrier in CIDP.
- Received September 7, 2000.
- Accepted November 8, 2000.
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Letters: Rapid online correspondence
REQUIREMENTS
You must ensure that your Disclosures have been updated within the previous six months. Please go to our Submission Site to add or update your Disclosure information.
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
You May Also be Interested in
Alert Me
Recommended articles
Electrodiagnostic features of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies
The diagnostic value of sural nerve T cells in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Electrophysiologic findings in multifocal motor neuropathy
Clinical Reasoning: A patient with rapidly progressive sensory loss and imbalance