The sural nerves of 6 patients with different signs of alcoholic neuropathy were studied qualitatively and quantitatively by electron microscopy. Myelinated and unmyelinated fibres showed degenerative changes of the Wallerian type. Concomitant involvement of the myelin appears to be secondary to axonal lesions. Regenerative processes, although frequently observed, did not balance the destruction of fibres in the degenerative phase. Quantitative studies indicated a reduced number of myelinated fibres and decreased percentage of the area covered in cross-section by myelinated and unmyelinated axons. The histograms of myelinated fibres showed a shift to the left of the peak of large and small fibres and an increased number of small-sized fibres. Similarly the histograms of unmyelinated fibres showed a shift to the left and a bimodal distribution with an increased number of small-sized fibres. Imbalance in degenerative and regenerative processes seems to be the basis of the chronic partial denervation observed in the nerves of alcoholic patients in this study

Tredici, G., Minazzi, M. (1975). Alcoholic neuropathy. An electron-microscopic study. JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES, 25(3), 333-346 [10.1016/0022-510X(75)90155-0].

Alcoholic neuropathy. An electron-microscopic study

TREDICI, GIOVANNI;
1975

Abstract

The sural nerves of 6 patients with different signs of alcoholic neuropathy were studied qualitatively and quantitatively by electron microscopy. Myelinated and unmyelinated fibres showed degenerative changes of the Wallerian type. Concomitant involvement of the myelin appears to be secondary to axonal lesions. Regenerative processes, although frequently observed, did not balance the destruction of fibres in the degenerative phase. Quantitative studies indicated a reduced number of myelinated fibres and decreased percentage of the area covered in cross-section by myelinated and unmyelinated axons. The histograms of myelinated fibres showed a shift to the left of the peak of large and small fibres and an increased number of small-sized fibres. Similarly the histograms of unmyelinated fibres showed a shift to the left and a bimodal distribution with an increased number of small-sized fibres. Imbalance in degenerative and regenerative processes seems to be the basis of the chronic partial denervation observed in the nerves of alcoholic patients in this study
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Cell Count; Humans; Schwann Cells; Cell Nucleus; Fibroblasts; Peripheral Nerves; Nerve Degeneration; Nerve Regeneration; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Sural Nerve; Adult; Alcoholism; Neural Conduction; Reflex, Abnormal; Chronic Disease; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Time Factors; Male
English
1975
25
3
333
346
none
Tredici, G., Minazzi, M. (1975). Alcoholic neuropathy. An electron-microscopic study. JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES, 25(3), 333-346 [10.1016/0022-510X(75)90155-0].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/45633
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