Neuropathies associated with monoclonal gammapathies

There is increasing evidence that monoclonal proteins are implicated in the development of peripheral neuropathy. Approximately ten percent of patients with peripheral neuropathy of unknown cause have a monoclonal protein and this rate is significantly higher than prevalence rates of monoclonal protein in comparable segments of the general population. Extensive clinical, electrophysiological and immunopathological evidences indicate that peripheral neuropathy associated with monoclonal protein are heterogeneous, including: 1. the demyelinating, predominantly sensory neuropathies associated with anti-MAG antibodies; 2. the axonal, sensory neuropathies associated with anti-sulfatide and anti-chondroitin sulfate antibodies; 3. the motor neuropathies associated with anti-GM1 antibodies. Patients with chronic polyneuropathies should be evaluated for underlying plasma cell dyscrasia.