[Hoffmann's reflex in the evaluation of peripheral nerve fibers in alcoholism with early neurological changes]

Motor nerve conduction was assessed in the tibial nerve and the conduction of H reflex was studied from the gastrocnemius muscle in a group of 30 healthy controls and 30 alcoholics without evident signs of neuropathy. Significantly greater abnormalities were found in the analysed parameters of Hoffmann's reflex-latency, conduction velocity and index than in orthodromic motor nerve conduction. The obtained results suggest the usefulness of H reflex examination for the evaluation of the state of nerve fibres, especially at the time of early changes in the peripheral nerves and their proximal location.