Peripheral Neuropathy Health Article

PERIODICALS

Chalk, Colin H. "Acquired Peripheral Neuropathy." Neurologic Clinics 15, no. 3 (Aug. 1997): 501.

Feinberg, Joseph H., Scott F. Nalder, and Lisa S. Krivickas. "Peripheral Nerve Injuries in the Athlete." Sports Medicine 24, no. 6 (Dec. 1997): 385.

Morgenlander, Joel C. "Recognizing Peripheral Neuropathy: How to Read the Clues to an Underlying Cause." Postgraduate Medicine 102, no. 3 (Sept. 1997): 71.

Pascuzzi, Robert M., and James D. Fleck. "Acute Peripheral Neuropathy in Adults." Neurologic Clinics 15, no. 3 (Aug.1997): 529.

Perkins, A. Thomas, and Joel C. Morgenlander. "Endocrinologic Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy." Postgraduate Medicine 102, no. 3 (Sept. 1997): 81.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Diabetes Association. 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311. (800) 342-2383. <http://www.diabetes.org>.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. Crozer Mills Enterprise Center. 2700 Chestnut Parkway, Chester, PA 19013. (800) 606-CMTA. <http://www.charcotmarie-tooth.org>.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Foundation International. P.O. Box 262, Wynnewood, PA 19096. (610) 667-0131. (610) 667-0131. <http://www.webmast.com/gbs>.

The Myelin Project Headquarters. Suite 225, 2001 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006-1850. (202) 452-8994. <http://www.myelin.org>.

The Neuropathy Association. 60 E. 42nd St., Suite 942, New York, NY 10165. (800) 247-6968. <http://www.neuropathy.org/association.html>.

Julia Barrett

KEY TERMS

Afferent—Refers to peripheral nerves that transmit signals to the spinal cord and the brain. These nerves carry out sensory function.

Autonomic—Refers to peripheral nerves that carry signals from the brain and that control involuntary actions in the body, such as the beating of the heart.

Autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive— Refers to the inheritance pattern of a gene on a chromosome other than X or Y. Genes are inherited in pairs—one gene from each parent. However, the inheritance may not be equal, and one gene may overshadow the other in determining the final form of the encoded characteristic. The gene that over-shadows the other is called the dominant gene; the overshadowed gene is the recessive one.

Axon—A long, threadlike projection that is part of a nerve cell.

Central nervous system (CNS)—The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord.

Efferent—Refers to peripheral nerves that carry signals away from the brain and spinal cord. These nerves carry out motor and autonomic functions.

Electromyography—A medical test that assesses nerve signals and muscle reactions. It can determine if there is a disorder with the nerve or if the muscle is not capable of responding.

Inheritance pattern—Refers to dominant or recessive inheritance.

Motor—Refers to peripheral nerves that control voluntary movements, such as moving the arms and legs.

Myelin—The protective coating on axons.

Nerve biopsy—A medical test in which a small portion of a damaged nerve is surgically removed and examined under a microscope.

Nerve conduction—The speed and strength of a signal being transmitted by nerve cells. Testing these factors can reveal the nature of nerve injury, such as damage to nerve cells or to the protective myelin sheath.

Neurotransmitter—Chemicals within the nervous system that transmit information from or between nerve cells.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)—Nerves that are outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Sensory—Refers to peripheral nerves that transmit information from the senses to the brain.