Neuropathies associated with monoclonal gammopathies (paraproteinemias) are relatively uncommon. Paraprotein subtypes most frequently associated with polyneuropathy include heavy chains (IgM, IgA, and IgG) and light chains (kappa or lambda). Determining…
Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) can determine whether a neuropathy is due to injury to the nerve axon (axonal neuropathy) or to the myelin sheath (demyelinating neuropathy). As the number of…
Polyneuropathy that involves the distal aspects of the limbs (at least initially) in a symmetric pattern is a common neurologic presentation. Sometimes referred to as a “stocking-glove” distribution, the most…
Electrophysiologic study of the peripheral nervous system typically involves nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle examination of the muscle (electromyography; EMG). NCS/EMG is useful to localize a lesion (root/plexus/nerve/neuromuscular junction/muscle)…
A. Patients with simple motor tics can sometimes achieve acceptable symptom control with botulinum toxin injections, particularly if the areas injected involve the face (e.g., blinking tics, or tics involving…
Dystonia is characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements, postures, or both. Dystonic movements are typically patterned and twisting, and may be tremulous. Dystonia is…
A. Aerobic exercise may be neuroprotective, and should be recommended for all Parkinson disease (PD) patients. B. Cognitively intact patients under age 65 years can try a monoamine oxidase type…
A. Certain patients with mild tremor may only need tremor control for short, specific periods of time (for example, while giving a speech or going to dinner with friends). In…
