Distal motor latency and residual latency as sensitive markers of anti-MAG polyneuropathy

J Neurol. 2003 Aug;250(8):962-6. doi: 10.1007/s00415-003-1128-7.

Abstract

There is debate whether the terminal latency index (TLI) is a sensitive marker for polyneuropathy with anti-myelin-associated-glycoprotein antibodies (anti-MAGP). We examined 6 patients with an anti-MAGP and 6 patients with a chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The electroneurographic features studied were: distal compound motor action potential (CMAP), distal motor latency (DML), motor conduction velocity (MCV) elbow to wrist (distal MCV), MCV axilla to elbow (proximal MCV), MCV distal/proximal, terminal latency index (TLI), residual latency (RL), F-wave, and modified F ratio. We found significant differences between anti-MAGP and CIDP for DML and for RL. No significant differences were found for TLI and the other measures. The TLI values were not significant probably because our patients had a longer duration of disease,which supports the hypothesis of a distal to proximal progression of conduction slowing over time. We propose that a residual latency >4.0 and a distal motor latency >7.0 are strongly suggestive for an anti- MAGP.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers
  • Elbow / innervation
  • Elbow / physiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / immunology*
  • Neural Conduction*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / immunology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / immunology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / physiopathology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Review Literature as Topic
  • Ulnar Nerve*
  • Wrist / innervation
  • Wrist / physiology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein