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Review
New classification of autoimmune neuropathies based on target antigens and involved domains of myelinated fibres
  1. Antonino Uncini1,
  2. Stephane Mathis2,
  3. Jean-Michel Vallat3
  1. 1Neuroscience and Imaging, Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
  2. 2Department of Neurology, National Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, ALS Center, CHU Bordeaux (Pellegrin Hospital), Bordeaux, France
  3. 3National Reference Center for Rare Peripheral Neuropathies and Department of Neurology, CHU Limoges (Dupuytren Hospital), Limoges, France
  1. Correspondence to Professor Antonino Uncini, Neuroscience and Imaging, Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy; uncini{at}unich.it

Abstract

Autoimmune neuropathies are named by eponyms, by descriptive terminology or because of the presence of specific antibodies and are traditionally classified, on the basis of pathology and electrophysiology, as primary demyelinating or axonal. However, autoimmune disorders targeting specific molecules of the nodal region, although not showing pathological evidence of demyelination, can exhibit all the electrophysiological changes considered characteristic of a demyelinating neuropathy and acute neuropathies with antiganglioside antibodies, classified as axonal and due to nodal dysfunction, can present with reversible conduction failure and prompt recovery that appear contradictory with the common view of an axonal neuropathy. These observations bring into question the concepts of demyelinating and axonal nerve conduction changes and the groundwork of the classical dichotomous classification.

We propose a classification of autoimmune neuropathies based on the involved domains of the myelinated fibre and, when known, on the antigen. This classification, in our opinion, helps to better systematise autoimmune neuropathies because points to the site and molecular target of the autoimmune attack, reconciles some contrasting pathological and electrophysiological findings, circumvents the apparent paradox that neuropathies labelled as axonal may be promptly reversible and finally avoids taxonomic confusion and possible misdiagnosis.

  • peripheral neuropathology
  • neuroimmunology
  • neuropathy
  • neurophysiol
  • clinical

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Footnotes

  • Contributors AU conceived the classification and wrote the first draft of the paper. J-MV and SM contributed with the immunopathological and electron microscopy studies. All the authors critically reviewed and approved the final version of the paper.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

  • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.