Rapidly progressive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis initially masquerading as a demyelinating neuropathy.

Rare cases of demyelinating neuropathy have been described in association with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We report two patients with typical ALS whose initial electroneuromyographic (ENMG) presentation could suggest the existence of a process of motor nerve fiber demyelination. However, subsequent ENMG examinations and the fatal course of the disease in a few months rather supported severe ongoing axonal degeneration at the origin of motor nerve conduction abnormalities.

Injection of interferon-beta in the morning decreases flu-like syndrome in many patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Although it is recommended that interferon-beta (IFNβ) injections be administered in the evening, it is possible that morning injections could more effectively decrease interleukin 6 secretion.

Methods: This study evaluated the effects of switching from an evening injection of IFNβ to a morning injection on the intensity of flu-like syndrome in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We performed an intervention study that consisted of a quantitative evaluation of IFNβ-related flu-like syndrome in a cohort of 105 MS patients.

Peripheral neuropathies after arthropod stings not due to Lyme disease: a report of five cases and review of the literature.

Five patients developed neurologic symptoms a few hours to 2 months after being stung by a non-hooking arthropod with immediate cutaneous reaction. The patients had no clinical or serologic evidence for Lyme borreliosis and rickettsial disease. Clinical and electrophysiologic findings were consistent with a mixed axonal and demyelinating mononeuropathy, a monomelic multiple mononeuropathy, a mononeuropathy multiplex, a radiculoneuritis, and a distal symmetric polyneuropathy.