Myovascular innervation: Axon loss in small-fiber neuropathies

Amir Dori, Glenn Lopate, Richard Keeling, Alan Pestronk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Vascular denervation occurs in some neuropathies, but measurement of small perivascular axons has been difficult. Methods: We evaluated 31 consecutive patients who had both muscle and skin biopsies. We quantitated myovascular innervation by staining unmyelinated axons with peripherin and non-myelinating Schwann cells with neural cell adhesion molecule and comparing their areas. Results: Perivascular unmyelinated axon-Schwann (UAS) ratios correlated with axon density in skin (r=0.679; P<0.0001). Low UAS ratios (≤0.25) had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 91% for a clinical diagnosis of small-fiber neuropathy (P<0.0001). Autonomic features were more common in patients with low perivascular UAS ratios (P=0.002). A patient subgroup with myovascular, but not skin, denervation commonly had muscle discomfort and autonomic features. Conclusions: UAS ratio measurements, comparing axons and associated non-myelinating Schwann cells, can quantitate perivascular innervation. Small-fiber neuropathies are often associated with myovascular denervation. Some patients with muscle discomfort have selective myovascular denervation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)514-521
Number of pages8
JournalMuscle and Nerve
Volume51
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2015

Keywords

  • Autonomic symptoms
  • Muscle biopsy
  • Muscle pain
  • Small-fiber neuropathy
  • Vascular innervation

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