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Motor axon loss is associated with hand dysfunction in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1a.
- Source :
-
Neurology [Neurology] 2008 Oct 14; Vol. 71 (16), pp. 1254-60. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Background: Charcot Marie Tooth type 1a (CMT1a) is a primarily demyelinating neuropathy, characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and sensory loss, and is most pronounced in both feet and hands. There is increasing evidence that muscle weakness is determined by motor axonal dysfunction.<br />Objective: To investigate in patients with CMT1a whether motor axon loss, as estimated with motor unit number estimation (MUNE) and compound muscle action potential (CMAP), is related to hand function and manual dexterity.<br />Methods: Hand function, manual dexterity, and axon loss were studied in 48 patients with proven CMT1a. Using high-density surface EMG on the thenar muscles, MUNE was determined and CMAPs were measured.<br />Results: Pinch strength, clawing of the fingers, and manual dexterity correlated significantly with MUNE and CMAP (amplitude and area), while sensory impairments did not. Grip strength correlated significantly with CMAP amplitude but did not become significant with MUNE and CMAP area. Neurophysiologic variables were particularly associated with fine motor function of the hand.<br />Conclusions: Motor axon loss is likely to be the major cause of hand dysfunction and impaired manual dexterity in Charcot Marie Tooth type 1a (CMT1a). In a clinical setting, the evaluation of the hands of patients with CMT1a should thus be mainly directed toward the evaluation of fine motor functions.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Axons physiology
Electromyography
Female
Hand Strength physiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motor Neurons physiology
Neural Conduction physiology
Axons pathology
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease pathology
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease physiopathology
Hand pathology
Hand physiopathology
Motor Neurons pathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1526-632X
- Volume :
- 71
- Issue :
- 16
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Neurology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18852440
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000327643.05073.eb