Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy refers to diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system, which consists of motor or sensory neurons, nerve roots, plexuses and peripheral nerves. Motor nerves control movements of all muscles under conscious control. Sensory inputs (e.g. heat, cold and touch) from skin receptors are conveyed to the brain via the sensory nerves. Autonomic nerves are found in vital organs (e.g. heart, lungs) and help to regulate body functions such as heart rate and breathing.

Clinical classification of peripheral neuropathy is based on:

1. The part of the peripheral nervous system involved: The peripheral nerve (Mono- or poly- neuropathy depending on number of nerves affected), plexus (Plexopathy), nerve root (Radiculopathy) and sensory neurons (Neuronopathy).
2. Types of nerve fibers involved, e.g. sensory polyneuropathy when only sensory fibers are affected.
3. Underlying mechanism of nerve damage, disorders e.g. demyelinating versus axonal neuropathy. Axonal disorders are due to damage to the nerve fibers, e.g. diabetic polyneuropathy. Demyelinating neuropathies arise from insults to the myelin sheath, e.g. chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS).