| Περίληψη: | To assess the clinical utility of repeater F-waves (Freps) analysis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), demyelinating polyneuropathies (PN-D) and axonal polyneuropathies (PN-A), using an automated computerized system (F Wave Analyzer).
METHODS: Forty consecutive F-waves were recorded from the ulnar and peroneal nerve in 52 patients with ALS and 52 healthy control subjects. Ulnar F-wave responses were studied in 25 PN-D and 21 PN-A patients and matched controls. Data were imported into the F Wave Analyzer which identifies Freps and groups them. Parameters of Freps and non repeater F-waves (Fnonreps) were compared.
RESULTS: Total number of repeating neurons, Freps persistence (100xFreps/40stimuli) and Index Total Freps (100xFreps/total number of F-waves) were significantly higher in all patient groups compared to control groups (P ≤ 0.005). Freps latencies were well within the limits of Fnonreps latencies in all study groups, with the exception of prolonged Freps maximum latencies in ALS. There were no consistent differences in F-wave amplitude and area measurements between Freps and Fnonreps, for all study groups.
CONCLUSION: None of the measurements are pathognomonic for a particular process. Mechanisms of Freps production possibly differ in neuronopathies and neuropathies. Overall, automatic analysis facilitates accurate and fast detection of Freps and could be useful in clinical settings.
SIGNIFICANCE: Analysis of repeater F-waves is expected to provide new insight regarding the pathophysiology of nerve disease and be utilized for monitoring in clinical drug trials.
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