Síndrome de Davidenkow: Una neuropatía periférica rara / Davidenkow syndrome. A rare peripheral neuropathy

En 1939 Davidenkow describió un tipo de atrofia diferente y rara con un patrón predominante en distribución escápulo-peroneal. Algunos investigadores caracterizaron el síndrome como una variante de la enfermedad de Charcot-Marie-Tooth; sin embargo, Davidenkow percibió que las manifestaciones clínicas y de laboratorio no corroboraban exactamente esta hipótesis. Describimos el caso de una mujer de 39 años, con cuadro clínico semejante al síndrome descrito por Davidenkow, presentando atrofia escápulo-peroneal. Sus primeros síntomas comenzaron cuando tenía 24 años, inicialmente con debilidad motora proximal en los miembros superiores. No tenía historia familiar de miopatía o neuropatía y se excluyeron otros síndromes que se podrían incluir entre los diagnósticos diferenciales mediante la realización de pruebas de mutación genética, además del examen físico y electromiografía. El amplio espectro de enfermedades neuromusculares a veces dificulta su diagnóstico y debe ser siempre considerado en el diagnóstico diferencial.

A different and rare type of atrophy with a predominant pattern in scapulo-peroneal distribution was described by Davidenkow in 1939. The syndrome was characterized by some researchers as a variant of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, however Davidenkow noticed that clinical and laboratorial manifestations did not corroborate exactly with this hypothesis. We describe a case of a female patient, 39 years-old, clinical picture similar to the syndrome described by Davidenkow, presenting scapulo-peroneal atrophy. Her first symptoms had appeared when she was 24, initially with proximal motor weakness in the upper limbs. This patient did not have family history of myopathy or neuropathy. Several tests were performed to exclude other syndromes that could be included in the differential diagnosis, by testing gene mutation, in addition to the physical examination and electromyography. The large spectrum of neuromuscular diseases makes difficult the diagnosis of Davidenkow’s syndrome which always should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Limitações do uso de órteses tornozelo-pé na doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth: estudo de caso / Limitations of ankle-foot-orthosis use in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a case study

A paresia distal crural, muito marcante nos pacientes com doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), provoca inúmeras alterações nos padrõesda marcha. Vários recursos de reabilitação têm sido propostos para gerenciar os problemas de deambulação, entre eles a utilização de órteses tornozelo-pé (OTP). O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar efeitos imediatos do uso de OTP na cinemática da marcha e nos parâmetros estabilométricos em paciente com CMT. Buscou-se avaliar: o equilíbrio e a marcha, por meio da Escala de Avaliação da Mobilidade Orientada pelo Desempenho (POMA); a cinemática da marcha, com o sistema Qualisys Track Manager (QTM); e a estabilometria, utilizando a plataforma de força. As avaliações foram realizadas antes e durante o uso de OTP. Observou-se declínio na escala POMA durante o uso da OTP de 11%. Na cinemática da marcha, verificou-se decréscimo na velocidade e comprimento da passada, assim comoaumento na duração dela. Na estabilometria, observou-se aumento na velocidade médio-lateral e na velocidade média na condição sem restrição visual, e aumento em todos os parâmetros de velocidade e deslocamento na condição com restrição visual durante o uso da OTP. O paciente avaliado não apresentou melhoras imediatas com aplicação de OTP, fato justificado pela presença de contraturas e tempo de evolução da doença. A prescrição de órteses na CMT deve respeitar as particularidades do paciente e a forma de apresentação da patologia.

The distal crural weakness, very striking in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), causes gait impairment. Several rehabilitationapproaches have been proposed to manage the ambulation problems, among them, the use of ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). The objective of this study is to analyze the immediate effects of using AFO in the gait kinematic and stabilometric parameters in a patient with CMT. We evaluated the balance and the gait using Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) Scale, gait kinematics using the Qualisys Track Manager (QTM) system and stabilometry, using a force platform. The evaluations were performed before and during the use of AFO. A decreasing of POMA scores was observed when the patient used AFO (11%). In the gait kinematic a decrease was verified in the speed gait and step length, as an increase in the time. In the stabilometry was observed an increase in the mediolateral velocity and average velocity in the condition without visual restrictionand an increase in all parameters of velocity and displacement in thecondition with visual restriction during the use of the AFO. The assessedpatient didn?t present immediate improvement with the AFO due to contractures presented and the time of the disease course. Prescription of orthosis in the CMT should respect the patient?s particularities and the clinical manifestations, and the way the pathology is presented.

Neuropathic Pain Model of Peripheral Neuropathies Mediated by Mutations of Glycyl-tRNA Synthetase

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common inherited motor and sensory neuropathy. Previous studies have found that, according to CMT patients, neuropathic pain is an occasional symptom of CMT. However, neuropathic pain is not considered to be a significant symptom associated with CMT and, as a result, no studies have investigated the pathophysiology underlying neuropathic pain in this disorder. Thus, the first animal model of neuropathic pain was developed by our laboratory using an adenovirus vector system to study neuropathic pain in CMT. To this end, glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS) fusion proteins with a FLAG-tag (wild type [WT], L129P and G240R mutants) were expressed in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons using adenovirus vectors. It is known that GARS mutants induce GARS axonopathies, including CMT type 2D (CMT2D) and distal spinal muscular atrophy type V (dSMA-V). Additionally, the morphological phenotypes of neuropathic pain in this animal model of GARS-induced pain were assessed using several possible markers of pain (Iba1, pERK1/2) or a marker of injured neurons (ATF3). These results suggest that this animal model of CMT using an adenovirus may provide information regarding CMT as well as a useful strategy for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic Pain Model of Peripheral Neuropathies Mediated by Mutations of Glycyl-tRNA Synthetase

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common inherited motor and sensory neuropathy. Previous studies have found that, according to CMT patients, neuropathic pain is an occasional symptom of CMT. However, neuropathic pain is not considered to be a significant symptom associated with CMT and, as a result, no studies have investigated the pathophysiology underlying neuropathic pain in this disorder. Thus, the first animal model of neuropathic pain was developed by our laboratory using an adenovirus vector system to study neuropathic pain in CMT. To this end, glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS) fusion proteins with a FLAG-tag (wild type [WT], L129P and G240R mutants) were expressed in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons using adenovirus vectors. It is known that GARS mutants induce GARS axonopathies, including CMT type 2D (CMT2D) and distal spinal muscular atrophy type V (dSMA-V). Additionally, the morphological phenotypes of neuropathic pain in this animal model of GARS-induced pain were assessed using several possible markers of pain (Iba1, pERK1/2) or a marker of injured neurons (ATF3). These results suggest that this animal model of CMT using an adenovirus may provide information regarding CMT as well as a useful strategy for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

novel mutation of GDAP1 associated with Charcot-Marie-tooth disease in an Iranian family

As a result of higher distributed consanguinity in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, autosomal-recessive forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth [ARCMT] are more common in these areas. CMT disease caused by mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 [GDAP1] gene is a severe autosomal recessive neupathy resulting in either demyelinating CMT4A neuropathy or axonal neuropathy with vocal cord paresis. The patient was an 8-year-old boy with AR inheritance that showed some delayed achievement of motor milestones, including walking, also bilateral foot drop, wasting of distal muscles in the legs, pes cavus and marked weakness of the foot dorsiflexors. He had no hoarseness or vocal cord paralysis. Total genomic DNA was extracted from whole peripheral blood of the patient and his family by using standard procedures. PCR- sequencing method were used to analysis the whole coding regions of the GDAP1 gene. A novel homozygote insertion of T nucleotide in codon 34 was detected [c.100_101insT] that probably led to an early stop codon. This mutation may be associated with a common haplotype, suggesting a common ancestor that needs further investigation in the Iranian population

Frecuencia del alelo causante de la enfermedad de Charcot-Marie-Tooth (tipo axonal con herencia autosómica recesiva) en Palmares, Costa Rica / Frequency of the allele causing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (axonal type with autosomal recessive inheritance) in Palmares, Costa Rica

Frecuency of the allele causing the axonal form of autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth in Palmares, Costa Rica. The Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease constitutes is among the most frequent hereditary peripheral neuropathies world-wide. We identified a family from Palmares (Alajuela, Costa Rica) with 18 affected members. Their neuropathy is axonal, with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance; the responsible gene is at the 19q13.33 chromosomal region. Later the mutation was identified in gene MED25. We studied the frequency and geographic distribution of the mutant allele. In a random sample of 103 individuals, six were heterozygote and were widely distributed in Palmares. There was no person in homozigote state for the mutant allele. Clinical characteristics do not differ significantly between individuals that are homozygous for the wildtype allele and individuals hetero zygous for the mutation. A 5.83 % of the population is heterozygote and the frequency of the Ala335Val allele is 0.029, six times higher than in a sample of the Costa Rican population. Werecommend a molecular analysis of carriers to detect additional cases in the region. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (Suppl.1): 381-387. Epub 2009 November 30.

La enfermedad de Charcot-Marie-Tooth constituye elgrupo de neuropatías periféricas hereditarias más común a nivel mundial. Una familia con 18 afectados del cantón de Palmares (Alajuela, Costa Rica) con una neuropatía de tipo axonal y herencia autosómica recesiva, permitió localizar el gen responsable en la región 19q13.33. Posteriormente se identificó la mutación causante en el gen MED25. El presente estudio determinó la frecuencia del alelo mutante, así como la distribución geográfica de este alelo. En una muestra al azar de 103 individuos se encontraron seis individuos heteroigotas para la mutación, distribuidos por todo el cantón. No se encontró ninguna persona en estado homocigota para este alelo. No hallamos algunacaracterística clínica que difiera significativamente entre los individuos homocigotos silvestres y los heterocigotos para la mutación. El 5.83% de la población es heterocigota y la frecuencia del alelo Ala335Val es de 0.029, seis veces mayor que en una muestra de toda la población costarricense. Por esta razón se recomienda un análisis molecular de portadores con el fin de alertar sobre la posibilidad de aparición de más casos en el cantón.

Distribución espacial de la enfermedad Charcot-Marie-Tooth en Costa Rica, 1990-2003 / Spatial distribution of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in Costa Rica, 1990-2003

Objetivo: Evaluar la distribución espacial como indicador de la incidencia de la enfermedad de Charcot-Marie-Tooth por los egresos hospitalarios reportados en Costa Rica entre el período 1990-2003. Métodos: Se aplicó un rastreo estadístico espacial de la incidencia de la enfermedad y se evaluó la significancia estadística de los conglomerados con excesos de casos. Resultados: El exceso de casos observados de la enfermedad en la zona de Naranjo fue estadísticamente significativo (56 versus 26.3 p menor 0.05). Otras regiones en donde se presenta exceso significativo de casos de CMT, son: Tibás (33 versus 13.5), Alajuela Centro (20 versus 6), Turrialba centro (16 versus 4.5), Golfito (18 versus 5.6) y Puntarenas centro (9 versus 1.5). Discusión: Se propone este rastreo estadístico espacial como herramienta en el proceso de toma de decisiones paa disminuir la incidencia de la enfermedad, así como atender adecuadamente a los afectados por CMT y sus familias, pues el métoido identificó regiones críticas o conglomerados (clusters) en donde es necesario dirigir los esfuerzos para la evaluación de la incidencia de la enfermedad.

Objective: To evaluate the spatial distribution of Charcot- Marie-Tooth disease as indicator of incidence in Costa Rica between 1990-2003.Methods: A spatial statistical scan was performed for the CMT incidence. We evaluated the statistical significance of high rate clusters. Results: The excess of observed cases of the disease in the area of Naranjo was statistically significant (56 vs. 26.3 p <0.05). Other regions showing significant excess of cases of CMT are: Tibás (33 vs. 13.5), Alajuela Centro (20 vs. 6), Turrialba Centro (16 vs. 4.5), Golfito (18 vs. 5.6) and Puntarenas Centro (9 vs. 1.5).Discussion: Spatial statistical scan is proposed as a tool in the decision making process in order to reduce the incidence of the disease and respond appropriately to those affected by CMT and their families. The method identifies clusters where it is necessary to focus efforts in evaluating the incidence of the disease.

Estrategias para el diagnóstico clinico y molecular de Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A: estudio en pacientes mexicanos / Strategies for clinical and molecular diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A among Mexican patients

Antecedentes: La neuropatía periférica de Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) es la enfermedad hereditaria más común del sistema nervioso periférico humano. El subtipo más frecuente, CMT1A, es asociado a una duplicación de un fragmento de ~1.5 Mb en 17p11.2-p12, que incluye al gen PMP22. Objetivo: Describir diferentes estrategias para el diagnóstico clínico y molecular de CMT1A en pacientes del Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación. Material y métodos: A 17 pacientes estudiados clínica y electrofisiológicamente que reunieron los criterios para CMT1, se les realizó el estudio molecular mediante electroforesis capilar para detectar la duplicación del gen PMP22. Resultados: Los estudios clínico, bioquímico y electrofisiológico ofrecieron los criterios para establecer el diagnóstico de CMT1. Con la electroforesis capilar se detectó la duplicación del gen PMP22 en siete pacientes que fueron diagnosticados clínica y electrofisiológicamente como CMT1, pudiendo llegar al diagnóstico de CMT1A. Todas las duplicaciones identificadas fueron corroboradas mediante hibridación in situ fluorescente. Conclusión: Los resultados nos permiten asegurar que la electroforesis capilar es un método fácil y confiable para detectar la duplicación del gen PMP22. Además, el aplicar diferentes estrategias tanto clínicas, electrofisiológicas y moleculares en este tipo de pacientes, nos permitieron establecer el diagnóstico correcto y ofrecer asesoramiento genético adecuado.

BACKGROUND: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is the most common inherited disorder of the human peripheral nerve. The mos tfrequent subtype, CMT1A, is associated with duplication of approximately 1.5 Mb fragment in 17p11-p12, that includes the PMP22 gene. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe different strategies used for clinical and molecular CNT1A diagnoses among patients attending the National Rehabilitation Institute of Mexico (INR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 17 patients had clinical and electrophysiological features compatible with CMT1. A molecular study using capillary electrophoresis (CE) was performed and a PMP22 gene duplication was detected RESULTS: Clinical, biochemical and electrophysiological studies constituted the inclusion criteria to establish a CMT1 diagnosis. With CE the duplication of the PMP22 gene was observable and we established a possible CMT1A diagnosis in seven patients. All duplications detected by capillary electrophoresis were corroborated using FISH. CONCLUSION: CE is a feasible and reliable method to detect PMP22 gene duplication. Using different clinical, electrophysiological and molecular strategies in this patient population allowed us to establish an accurate diagnosis and offer suitable genetic counseling.

Effectiveness of Real-Time Quantitative PCR Compare to Repeat PCR for the Diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 1A and Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies

The majority of cases of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) and of hereditary neuropathy with a liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) are the result of heterozygosity for the duplication or deletion of peripheral myelin protein 22 gene (PMP22) on 17p11.2. Southern blots, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and polymorphic marker analysis are currently used diagnostic methods. But they are time-consuming, labor-intensive and have some significant limitations. We describe a rapid real- time quantitative PCR method for determining gene copy number for the identification of DNA duplication or deletion occurring in CMT1A or HNPP and compare the results obtained with REP-PCR. Six patients with CMT1A and 14 patients with HNPP [confirmed by Repeat (REP) -PCR], and 16 patients with suspicious CMT1A and 13 patients with suspicious HNPP [negative REP-PCR], and 15 normal controls were studied. We performed REP-PCR, which amplified a 3.6 Kb region (including a 1.7Kb recombination hotspot), using specific CMT1A-REP and real-time quantitative PCR on the LightCycler system. Using a comparative threshold cycle (Ct) method and beta-globin as a reference gene, the gene copy number of the PMP22 gene was quantified. The PMP22 duplication ratio ranged from 1.35 to 1.74, and the PMP22 deletion ratio from 0.41 to 0.53. The PMP22 ratio in normal controls ranged from 0.81 to 1.12. All 6 patients with CMT1A and 14 patients with HNPP confirmed by REP-PCR were positive by real-time quantitative PCR. Among the 16 suspicious CMT1A and 13 suspicious HNPP with negative REP-PCR, 2 and 4 samples, respectively, were positive by real-time quantitative PCR. Real-time quantitative PCR is a more sensitive and more accurate method than REP-PCR for the detection of PMP22 duplications or deletions, and it is also faster and easier than currently available methods. Therefore, we believe that the real-time quantitative method is useful for diagnosing CMT1A and HNPP.

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with myokymia: report of a family.

The clinical and electrophysiologic profiles of two brothers suffering from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease are presented. Both had widespread muscle twitching in the legs which showed electrophysiologic features of myokymia. Pedigree analysis suggested an x-linked recessive form of inheritance. This appears to be the first report of an Indian family with x-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Rapid Detection of Duplication/Deletion of the PMP22 Gene in Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A and Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy by Real-time Quantitative PCR using SYBR Green I Dye

Mutations and altered gene dosage of the peripheral myelin protein (PMP22) gene in chromosome 17p11.2-12 are the main causes for hereditary neuropathies, accounting for approximately 70% of all cases. Patients with duplication of the PMP22 develop Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) and deletion of one PMP22 allele leads to hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP). Twenty patients with CMT1A, 17 patients with HNPP, and 18 normal family members and 28 normal controls were studied by real-time quantitative PCR using SYBR Green I on the ABI 7700 Sequence Detection System. The copy number of the PMP22 gene was determined by the comparative threshold cycle method and the albumin was used as a reference gene. The PMP22 duplication ratio ranged from 1.45 to 2.06 and the PMP22 deletion ratio ranged from 0.42 to 0.64. The PMP22 ratio in normal controls, including normal family members, ranged from 0.85 to 1.26. No overlap was found between patients with CMT1A or patients with HNPP and normal controls. This method is fast, highly sensitive, specific, and reproducible in detecting PMP22 duplication and deletion in CMT1A and HNPP patients, respectively.

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with congenital glaucoma

We report three siblings of a family with hereditary motor and sensory plyneuropathy (HMSN) and buphthalmos. Eletrophysiological studies showed a demyelinating neuropathy and pathological findings showed severe loss of myelinated fibers (MF), thin myelin sheaths and myelin infoldings in a few remaining MF. The presumed mode of inheritance is autosomal recesive. This family probably represents an unique form of CMT4 that may be related to one of the congenital glaucoma genic locus, particularly GLC3A and GLC3B, described in Turkish families.

La neuropatía sensitiva motora hereditaria: un artículo de revisión bibliográfica / The hereditary sensitive motors neuropaties: a bibliograpic review of article

En este trabajo se hace una descripción didáctica de un grupo de neuropatías englobadas en el término de neuropatías sensitivas motoras hereditarias. Después de dar datos para el diagnóstico de los 7 tipos presentes se analiza la enfermedad de Charcot Marie Tooth como la más frecuente, desde el punto de vista diagnóstico, patogénico y de tratamiento

Doenca de Charcot-Marie-Tooth / Charcot-Marie-Tooth's disease

A Doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth é a forma mais frequente de afecçäo hereditária do sistema nervoso periférico, determinando síndrome clínica de polineuropatia sensitivo-motora. Caracteriza-se clinicamente por amiotrofias distais nos membros de início na primeira ou segunda década de vida, tendo evoluçäo lenta e progressiva, raramente levando à incapacidade total. Revisa-se a literatura, salientando-se aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos, anatomopatológicos e terapêuticos

Enfermedad de Charcot Marie Tooth (Neuropatía hereditaria sensitivo motora, NHSM). Manifestaciones clínicas y su tratamiento ortopédico en 21 pacientes / Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (hereditary senso-motor neupathy). Clinical manifestations and their orthopaedic treatment in 21 patients

Se revisaron 21 pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Charcot-Marie-Tooth o Neuropatía Hereditarias Sensitivo Motora (CMT o NHSM) con edad promedio de 13.4 años (rango de 6 a 23), fueron 11 pacientes femeninos y 10 masculinos. El inicio de la sintomatología ocurrió a la edad promedio de 4.5 años (rango de 1 a 10.1). El diagnóstico se realizó en forma clínica, por velocidad de conducción nerviosa y biopsia en todos los pacientes. Del total de pacientes, 18 se diagnosticaron como CMT clásico o NHSM tipo I; 2 pacientes con variante Roussy-levy (NHSM tipo II), y un sólo pacientes con la variante Dejerine-Sottas (NHSM tipo III). El seguimiento mínimo fue de 1 año y máximo de 10 años (promedio de 6.8 años). Dentro de las manifestaciones clínicas encontramos deformidad cavo-varo de ambos pies en todos los pacientes y asociado a esta deformidad 4 pacientes presentaron ortejos en garra bilateral, uno tuvo segundo ortejo en garra bilateral, y en un paciente ambos pies se observaron péndulos. En 4 pacientes se presentó afección motora de extremidades superiores y en uno de estos también fue sensitiva en forma leve. Escoliosis de la columna se diagnósticó en el paciente con la variante (NHSM tipo III) y subluxación de la cadera en un paciente con CMT clásico. Los pacientes fueron clasificados de acuerdo a las características de la deformidad en tres estadios y en base a estos se estableció el tipo de tratamiento, siendo este de tipo conservador (estadio I) fisioterapia y ortesis; y Quirúrgico (estadio II y III) transferencias tendinosas, fasciotomías, tenotomías, osteotomías, falangectomías, artrodesis, cotiloplastía, e instrumentación segmentaria de columna. Conocemos que estos pacientes tarde o temprano llegaran al tratamiento quirúrgico pero el manejo conservador les permite una mejor marcha o función y disminución de la sintomatología

Erythrocyte alkaline phosphatase in patients with myotonic muscle disorders / Fosfatasa alcalina en eritrocitos de pacientes con enfermedades musculares miotónicas

The allosteric behavior of the p-nitrophenyl-phosphatase (EC.3.1.3.1) from membrane erythrocytes was investigated in the following mulltisystemic diseases: myotonic dystrophy limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and juvenile spinal muscular atrophy; in myotonia congenita. which is not a multisystemic disease, and in healthy controls. The Hill coefficient in F-inhibition in controls was different from that in multisystemic diseases patients but not from that in myotonia congenita patients. Changes in the cooperative type kinetics would suggest that the interaction membrane-enzyme in controls and in patients with neuromuscular disorders is only different for multisystemic diseases

Doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth: estudo clínico em 45 pacientes / Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: clinical study in 45 patients

A doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) é uma das moléstias mais frequentes do sistema nervoso periférico e ocupa o primeiro lugar dentre as afecçöes neurmusculares hereditárias. Estudamos 45 pacientes com doença de CMT atendidos no Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Froam classificados de acordo com a neuroconduçäo em: tipo I (desmielinizante), 11 casos; e tipo II (anoxal), 34 casos. Vinte e três tinham herança autossômica dominante, 7 casos eram do tipo autossômico recessivo e 15 eram esporádicos. A maioria teve o início dos sintomas na 1ª ou 2ª decadas. Todos tiveram paresia distal dos membros inferiores. Nos membros superiores a paresia foi vista em 38,2 por cento. A amiotrofia distal ocorreu em 80 por cento nos membros inferiores e em 50 por cento nos superiores. A arreflexia atelar e aquiliana foi elevada. Aboliçäo dos reflexos profundos nos membros supriores ocorreu em 28 por cento. As alteraçöes sensitivas limitaram-se a hipoestesia nos membros inferiores. Em 7 enfermos encontramos hipertrofia dos troncos nervosos. Os pés cavos e a escoliose foram vistos em 21 casos e 7 casos respectivamente. Tremor nas mäos foi encontrado em 6 pacientes. Outros sinais mais raros, como oligofrenia e atrofia óptica, foram vistos excepcionalmente. A evoluçäo da doença foi quase sempre benigna. Somente 7 casos evoluíram rapidamente