Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
07:30
A Simple Approach to Induce Experimental Autoimmune Neuritis in C57BL/6 Mice for Functional and Neuropathological Assessments
Published on: November 9, 2017
[Severe, subacute axonal polyneuropathy due to hypophosphatemia]
Jeroen J J van Eijk1, W Farid Abdo, Edwin den Deurwaarder
1Universitair Medisch Centrum St Radboud, Afd. Neurologie, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. j.vaneijk@neuro.umcn.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|February 6, 2010
Summary
Refeeding syndrome can cause severe hypophosphatemia, leading to neurological issues like axonal neuropathy. Prompt phosphate supplementation is vital for reversing these neurological symptoms and requires timely diagnosis of refeeding syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Refeeding syndrome is a risk in patients with prolonged fasting and anorexia.
- Nutritional rehabilitation can precipitate metabolic disturbances.
Observation:
- A 46-year-old male on tube feeding developed progressive neurological symptoms mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- The patient experienced anorexia and significant weight loss prior to nutritional support.
Findings:
- Severe hypophosphatemia was diagnosed as the cause of the patient's neurological decline.
- Axonal neuropathy was identified as the specific neurological manifestation of hypophosphatemia.
Implications:
- Neurological symptoms associated with hypophosphatemia are reversible with timely phosphate repletion.
- Early recognition of refeeding syndrome is critical for prompt diagnosis and treatment of associated neurological complications.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Diabetic Neuropathy
DefinitionDiabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-standing diabetes mellitus. It results directly from prolonged high blood sugar levels.PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy involves both metabolic and vascular disturbances triggered by chronic hyperglycemia.Metabolic injury: Elevated glucose levels activate the polyol pathway within nerve cells, leading to the accumulation of sorbitol and fructose. This increases oxidative stress, disrupts normal nerve...
01:22Botulism
Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...
01:17Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy
Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...