Neuropathies associated with disorders of plasmocytes

Neurological syndromes, e.g. polyneuropathies, can be associated with abnormal production of immunoglobulins, as for example in multiple myeloma. The pathogenetic mechanisms for the development of neurologic symptoms have often, indeed, remained obscure and speculative. This article presents some aspects of gammopathies correlated to polyneuropathy. Results of protein analyses of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, utilizing a high separation technique, are presented. We also introduce a few case histories, illustrating the possible association between polyneuropathy and benign monoclonal gammopathy, hitherto regarded as an abnormality without clinical significance. The possible association between immunoiglobulin findings in cases of polyneuropathy with unknown etiology and a good response to steroid therapy is also mentioned.