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Published on: June 15, 2018
Cold paresis in multifocal motor neuropathy
Dirk C G Straver1, Jan-Thies H van Asseldonk, Nicolette C Notermans
1Neuromuscular Disease Group, Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Journal of Neurology
|August 31, 2010
Summary
Cold paresis, or increased weakness in the cold, is common in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). This finding suggests MMN nerve lesions may involve mechanisms beyond demyelination.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
Background:
- Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is characterized by demyelination, where cold typically improves symptoms.
- Single cases of MMN report increased weakness in cold (cold paresis), contradicting typical demyelination patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of cold paresis in MMN.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of cold paresis in MMN and compare it with other neuropathies.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 50 MMN patients, 48 CIDP patients, 35 PSMA patients, and 25 chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy patients for cold and heat paresis symptoms.
- Utilized multivariate analysis to assess the risk of cold paresis in MMN compared to other conditions.
Main Results:
- Cold paresis was reported more frequently than heat paresis across all patient groups.
- MMN patients exhibited the highest incidence of cold paresis.
- Multivariate analysis revealed MMN patients had a 4- to 6-fold higher risk of cold paresis compared to CIDP or PSMA patients.
Conclusions:
- Cold paresis is a common symptom in peripheral nervous system disorders, especially MMN.
- The frequent occurrence of cold paresis in MMN supports the hypothesis that nerve lesions involve mechanisms beyond demyelination, possibly including permanently depolarized axons failing at lower temperatures.
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