Abstract
Patients with multiple sclerosis commonly complain of tingling and other sensory disturbances which may occur spontaneously or in response to movement. These symptoms are associated with plaques of demyelination in the corresponding sensory pathways but the physiological abnormalities underlying the symptoms are not understood. We have examined sensory fibres traversing a central demyelinated lesion resembling that of multiple sclerosis for evidence of activity which could account for the symptoms. We present here evidence for the existence of spontaneously and mechanically induced trains of action potentials propagating in both directions from the lesion.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blakemore, W. F., Eames, R. A., Smith, K. J. & McDonald, W. I. J. neurol. Sci. 33, 31 (1977).
Hjorth, R. J. & Willison, R. G. J. neurol. Sci. 20, 117 (1973).
Kirkwood, P. A. & Sears, T. A. J. Physiol., Lond. 245, 58P (1974).
Rasminsky, M. Ann. Neurol. 3, 351 (1978).
Prineas, J. W. & Connell, F. Ann. Neurol. 5, 22 (1979).
Wall, P. D. & Gutnick, M. Expl Neurol. 43, 580 (1974).
Brieg, A. Adverse Mechanical Tension in the Central Nervous System (J. Wiley, London, 1978).
Davis, F. A., Bergen, D., Schauf, C. L., McDonald, W. I. & Deutsch, W. Neurology (Mineap.) 26, 110 (1976).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smith, K., McDonald, W. Spontaneous and mechanically evoked activity due to central demyelinating lesion. Nature 286, 154–155 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/286154a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/286154a0
This article is cited by
-
Diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities of the trigeminal nerve root in patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia: a pre- and postoperative comparative study 4 years after microvascular decompression
Acta Neurochirurgica (2019)
-
Neuroprotection and repair in multiple sclerosis
Nature Reviews Neurology (2012)
-
Triterpenoid modulation of IL-17 and Nrf-2 expression ameliorates neuroinflammation and promotes remyelination in autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Scientific Reports (2011)
-
Polydendrocytes (NG2 cells): multifunctional cells with lineage plasticity
Nature Reviews Neuroscience (2009)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.