Phosphorylated α-Synuclein Deposits in Cutaneous Nerves of Early Parkinsonism.

Background: The role of peripheral phosphorylated-α-Synuclein (p-α-syn) deposition on nerve degeneration in synucleinopathies is still unknown.

Objective: To assess the cutaneous neural distribution of p-α-Syn deposits and its correlation with clinical data and with morphology and function of cutaneous sensory and autonomic nerves in early Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy-parkinson type (MSA-p).

Methods: We recruited 57 PD (F/M = 21/36; age 63.

Postganglionic Sudomotor Assessment in Early Stage of Multiple System Atrophy and Parkinson Disease: A Morpho-functional Study.

Background And Objectives: Sudomotor impairment has been recognized as a key feature in differentiating Parkinson disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy-parkinsonian type (MSA-P), with the latter characterized by diffuse anhidrosis in prospective study, including patients in late stage of disease. We aimed to evaluate morphologic and functional postganglionic sudomotor involvement in patients with newly diagnosed MSA-P and PD to identify possible biomarkers that might be of help in differentiating the 2 conditions in the early stage.

Methods: One hundred patients with parkinsonism within 2 years from onset of motor symptoms were included in the study.

The analysis of epidermal nerve fibre spatial distribution improves the diagnostic yield of skin biopsy.

Aim: Small fibre neuropathy (SFN) diagnosis represents a challenge for neurologists. The diagnostic gold standard is intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) density, but in about 10-20% of patients with symptoms/signs and abnormalities on functional tests, it remains within normal range. We propose an adjunctive parameter to improve the efficiency of skin biopsy diagnosis.

A Model to Study Myelinated Fiber Degeneration and Regeneration in Human Skin.

Objective: To describe morphological changes associated with degeneration and regeneration of large fibers in the skin using a model of chronic compression of the median nerve.

Methods: We studied cutaneous innervation in 30 patients with chronic compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Before surgery, we assessed the symptom severity and performed neurography, quantitative sensory testing, and analysis of nerve morphology and morphometry in skin biopsies from the third digit fingertip.