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Incidence of peripheral neuropathy and cerebellar ataxia in chronic alcoholics

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Summary

A total of 78 chronic alcoholics were examined neurologically as well as by electroneurography, myography and posturography. Clinical signs of peripheral neuropathy were detected in 45% of these patients, with electromyographic and neurographic abnormality in 67% and 55% respectively. Clinical signs of cerebellar ataxia were found in 33% of our patients, whereas posturographic measurements of increased sway were recorded in 69%. The posturographic characteristics of cerebellar anterior lobe atrophy were observed in two-thirds of the latter patients. The severity of cerebellar-ataxia did not correlate with the degree of neuropathy. This lack of correlation is interpreted as an indication of different pathogenetic mechanisms acting on peripheral nerves and cerebellum.

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Scholz, E., Diener, H.C., Dichgans, J. et al. Incidence of peripheral neuropathy and cerebellar ataxia in chronic alcoholics. J Neurol 233, 212–217 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314021

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314021

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