Journal of Neurology

, Volume 233, Issue 4, pp 212–217 | Cite as

Incidence of peripheral neuropathy and cerebellar ataxia in chronic alcoholics

  • E. Scholz
  • H. C. Diener
  • J. Dichgans
  • H. D. Langohr
  • W. Schied
  • A. Schupmann
Original Investigations
Received:
Accepted:

Summary

A total of 78 chronic alcoholics were examined neurologically as well as by electroneurography, myography and posturography. Clinical signs of peripheral neuropathy were detected in 45% of these patients, with electromyographic and neurographic abnormality in 67% and 55% respectively. Clinical signs of cerebellar ataxia were found in 33% of our patients, whereas posturographic measurements of increased sway were recorded in 69%. The posturographic characteristics of cerebellar anterior lobe atrophy were observed in two-thirds of the latter patients. The severity of cerebellar-ataxia did not correlate with the degree of neuropathy. This lack of correlation is interpreted as an indication of different pathogenetic mechanisms acting on peripheral nerves and cerebellum.

Key words

Alcoholic neuropathy Alcoholic cerebellar degeneration Posturography 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1986

Authors and Affiliations

  • E. Scholz
    • 1
  • H. C. Diener
    • 1
  • J. Dichgans
    • 1
  • H. D. Langohr
    • 3
  • W. Schied
    • 2
  • A. Schupmann
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of NeurologyUniversity of TübingenFederal Republic of Germany
  2. 2.Department of PsychiatryUniversity of TübingenFederal Republic of Germany
  3. 3.Department of NeurologyMunicipal ClinicFuldaFederal Republic of Germany

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