Anethole is a terpenoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuronal blockade effects, and the present work was undertaken to study the neuroprotective activity of anethole against diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced neuropathy. Streptozotocin-induced DM rats were used to investigate the effects of anethole treatment on morphological, electrophysiological, and biochemical alterations of the sciatic nerve (SN). Anethole partially prevented the mechanical hyposensitivity caused by DM and fully prevented the DM-induced decrease in the cross-sectional area of the SN. In relation to electrophysiological properties of SN fibers, DM reduced the frequency of occurrence of the 3rd component of the compound action potential (CAP) by 15%. It also significantly reduced the conduction velocity of the 1st and 2nd CAP components from 104.6 ± 3.47 and 39.8 ± 1.02 to 89.9 ± 3.03 and 35.4 ± 1.56 m/s, respectively, and increased the duration of the 2nd CAP component from 0.66 ± 0.04 to 0.82 ± 0.09 ms. DM also increases oxidative stress in the SN, altering values related to thiol, TBARS, SOD, and CAT activities. Anethole was capable of fully preventing all these DM electrophysiological and biochemical alterations in the nerve. Thus, the magnitude of the DM-induced neural effects seen in this work, and the prevention afforded by anethole treatment, place this compound in a very favorable position as a potential therapeutic agent for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Teaching physiology can be challenging as students are initially required to understand basic and abstract concepts. Thus students typically view physiology as a \"difficult\" subject and place an emphasis on rote learning and memorization. Here, we attempted to address this knowledge gap by introducing a pedagogical intervention into the neurophysiology lesson plan of first-year medical and health physiology students at the University of La Réunion. This intervention aimed to better link abstract concepts (e.g., saltatory conduction) and a pathological disorder (multiple sclerosis), together with a discussion of a specific therapeutic intervention (fampridine). Students were required to complete readings (focused on neurophysiology aspects) and two online quizzes before two scheduled in-person lectures. They could also pose questions on a dedicated online forum. Thereafter, the in-person lectures discussed questions posted on the online forum, provided feedback on poorly answered questions (from the online quizzes), and dealt with questions posed by students attending classes. Student feedback regarding the pedagogic intervention was assessed by an anonymous online survey. This survey revealed that the pedagogical intervention was positively received. For example, 94% of respondents agreed the course was well developed, while 80% indicated that the pedagogical intervention was beneficial in terms of their understanding of basic and abstract neurophysiology concepts. Together, this pedagogical intervention was enthusiastically received by the students who better understood how basic nerve physiology concepts fit into the broader context and that such an understanding can result in the development and the roll-out of unique therapeutic interventions for multiple sclerosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY First-year physiology students can find the subject challenging, struggling to understand abstract concepts without any context. To address this, we introduced a pedagogical intervention for first-year medical and health physiology students that aimed to link abstract concepts and a pathological disorder, together with a discussion of a specific therapeutic intervention. This pedagogical intervention was well received by first-year physiology students who better understood how basic nerve physiology concepts can be applied within the clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the body and impacts approximately 5% of the U.S. population costing nearly $5 billion/year. Electrodiagnostic (EDX) testing is considered the gold standard for CTS diagnosis. Classification systems exist that categorize CTS severity based on EDX findings. This investigation evaluated EDX findings across consecutive CTS severity categories within existing classification systems and consolidated classifications.
METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 665 hands from 468 patients undergoing EDX testing for suspected CTS. Complete classification systems and consolidated classifications were evaluated for discrimination capability across consecutive CTS severity categories based on EDX findings. Additional analysis evaluated the relationship of sex and age factors and CTS severity.
RESULTS: Consolidated classifications demonstrated superior discrimination capability between consecutive CTS severity categories regardless of classification system used. Demographic factors significantly influenced EDX findings and categorization of CTS severity.
CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the value of consolidated classifications for enhancing discrimination between consecutive CTS severity categories based on EDX findings. Demographic factors should be considered when interpreting EDX findings for the purpose of categorizing CTS severity. Future research should refine existing classification systems and explore additional factors influencing CTS severity used to inform medical management.

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OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 1-hour computer use on ulnar and median nerve conduction velocity and muscle activity in office workers with symptomatic neck pain and asymptomatic office workers.
METHODS: A total of 40 participants, both male and female office workers, with symptomatic neck pain (n = 20) and asymptomatic (n = 20), were recruited. Pain intensity, ulnar nerve conduction velocity, median nerve conduction velocity, and muscle activity were determined before and after 1 hour of computer use.
RESULTS: There was a significant increase in pain intensity in the neck area in both groups (P < .001). The symptomatic neck pain group revealed a significant decrease in the sensory nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve (P = .008), whereas there was no difference in the median nerve conduction velocity (P > .05). Comparing before and after computer use, the symptomatic neck pain group had less activity of the semispinalis muscles and higher activity of the anterior scalene muscle than the asymptomatic group (P < .05). The trapezius and wrist extensor muscles showed no significant differences in either group (P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS: This study found signs of neuromuscular deficit of the ulnar nerve, semispinalis muscle, and anterior scalene muscle after 1 hour of computer use among office workers with symptomatic neck pain, which may indicate the risk of neuromuscular impairment of the upper extremities. The recommendation of resting, and encouraging function and flexibility of the neuromuscular system after 1 hour of computer use should be considered.

Acute canine polyradiculoneuritis (ACP) is a common peripheral neuropathy in dogs, and is generally self-limiting and benign. Electrodiagnostic (EDX) tests are typically performed after 7-10 days. Delaying the definitive diagnosis may hamper the treatment of other causes of acute weakness, which may require specific treatments and may carry different prognoses. This retrospective multicenter study aims to assess whether EDX performed within the first 6 days of clinical signs onset can detect alterations indicative of ACP, and aims to characterize the most prevalent alterations. A total of 71 dogs with suspected ACP were retrospectively analyzed and classified into two groups based on EDX timing: early group (EG, 1-6 days after symptom onset) and late group (LG, 7-15 days after symptom onset). In our study, no significant differences were found between the two groups in motor nerve conduction studies (MNCSs) and F-wave analysis, indicating that EDX is able to demonstrate abnormalities even in the first 6 days from onset. Although the LG showed significantly greater degrees of electromyographic (EMG) alterations compared to the EG, frequent muscle alterations were still observed in the EG group. These findings support the use of EDX in patients with suspected ACP within the first 6 days from the clinical onset. Prompt neurophysiological examinations for suspected ACP patients can be performed effectively and can help allow for early diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.

BACKGROUND: Conus medullaris infarction (CMI) is a rare vascular phenomenon that has been scarcely reported in the literature. While previous studies have described the clinical and radiological features of CMI, little attention has been paid to its associated neurophysiological findings.
METHODS: We present a case of idiopathic CMI and its neurophysiological findings, then present our findings from a systematic review of other reports of CMI with neurophysiological features found via PubMed search.
RESULTS: Nine articles describing ten cases of CMI with associated neurophysiological data were found, in addition to our case. Out of all 11 cases, 7 cases (64%) had absent F-waves on the first nerve conduction study (NCS) performed as early as 4 h after onset, 5 of whom demonstrated reappearance of F-waves on subsequent follow-up NCS. Seven patients (64%) had diminished compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), which was usually detectable on NCS performed between day 8 and day 18 of onset. None of them showed recovery of CMAPs in follow-up studies. Four patients (36%) had absent H-reflexes and two patients (18%) had sensory abnormalities. Electromyography (EMG) was reported in seven patients (64%), showing reduced recruitment as early as day 1 of onset, and denervation potentials as early as 4 weeks after onset.
CONCLUSIONS: Absent F-waves and diminished CMAPs are the most common NCS abnormalities in CMI. Absent F-waves are detectable very early but tend to recover on subsequent NCS, while diminished CMAPs are detectable later but do not seem to resolve. Further research to determine the utility of neurophysiological studies in CMI diagnosis and prognostication is needed.

BACKGROUND: Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) can be the result of several hereditary connective tissue disorders, especially Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Cerebrovascular manifestations are among the most common complications in this disorder, and understanding their extent can help better diagnosis and prevention of hazardous events. We investigated visual evoked potential (VEP) changes in patients with GJH and compared them with healthy individuals.
METHODS: Our case-control study included 90 patients who fulfilled the Beighton score (B score) for joint hypermobility and other 90 healthy participants. All of them went under VEP study, and the amplitude and latency of the evoked potential (P100) were compared to each other.
RESULTS: The Case group had significantly higher B score (7.18 ± 0.967 vs. 1.18 ± 0.712), P100 latency (110.23 ± 6.64 ms vs. 100.18 ± 4.273 ms), and amplitude (6.54 ± 1.26 mv vs. 6.50 ± 1.29 mv) compared with the Control group, but the difference was only significant regarding B score, and P100 latency (p-value <.0001). Moreover, both latency and amplitude of P100 had significantly positive correlations with the B score in the Case group (p-value <.0001), but such correlations were not found in the Control group (p-value = .059).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study could reveal VEP changes, especially significant P100 latency in GJH patients without previous neurologic or musculoskeletal disorders. Whether these changes are due to GJH itself or are predictive of inevitable neurologic disease or visual pathway involvement, particularly Multiple Sclerosis needs further investigation with longer follow-up periods.

BACKGROUND: Decades following the introduction of vincristine as treatment for haematological malignancies, vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy (VIPN) remains a pervasive, untreatable side-effect. However there remains a gap in understanding the characteristics of VIPN in adults. This study presents a comprehensive phenotyping of VIPN.
METHODS: Adult patients (n = 57; age = 59.8 ± 14.6) were assessed cross-sectionally following completion of vincristine (months post treatment = 16.3 ± 15.6, cumulative dose = 7.6 ± 4.4), with a subset of 20 patients assessed prospectively during treatment. Patient reported measures (EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20, R-ODS) were used to profile symptoms and disability. Neurological assessment was undertaken using the Total Neuropathy Score and nerve conduction studies. Sensory threshold and fine motor tasks were also undertaken. Comparisons of data between timepoints were calculated using paired-sample t tests or Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Comparisons between outcome measures were calculated with independent sample t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for non-parametric data.
RESULTS: The majority of patients developed VIPN by mid-treatment (77.8%, 7.0 ± 3.3 weeks post baseline) with the prevalence remaining stable by end-of-treatment (75%, 8.1 ± 1.7 weeks post mid-treatment). By 3 months post-completion, 50% of patients still reported VIPN although there were significant improvements on neurological grading and functional assessment (P < 0.05). VIPN presented with sensorimotor involvement in upper and lower limbs and was associated with decreased sensory and motor nerve amplitudes, reduced fine-motor function and increased disability.
CONCLUSIONS: VIPN in adults presents as a sensorimotor, upper- and lower-limb neuropathy that significantly impacts disability and function. Neuropathy recovery occurs in a proportion of patients; however, VIPN symptoms may persist and continue to affect long-term quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) are widely used to support the clinical diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders. The aims of this study were to obtain reference values for peroneal, tibial, and sural NCSs and to examine the associations with demographic and anthropometric factors.
METHODS: In 5099 participants (aged 40-79 years) without type 2 diabetes of The Maastricht Study, NCSs of peroneal, tibial, and sural nerves were performed. Values for compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and sensory nerve action potential amplitude, nerve conduction velocity (NCV), and distal latency were acquired. The association of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and height with NCS values was determined using uni- and multivariate linear regression analyses.
RESULTS: Detailed reference values are reported per decade for men and women. Significantly lower NCVs and longer distal latencies were observed in all nerves in older and taller individuals as well as in men. In these groups, amplitudes of the tibial and sural nerves were significantly lower, whereas a lower peroneal nerve CMAP was only significantly associated with age. BMI showed a multidirectional association. After correction for anthropometric factors in the multivariate analysis, the association between sex and NCS values was less straightforward.
CONCLUSIONS: These values from a population-based dataset could be used as a reference for generating normative values. Our findings show the association of NCS values with anthropometric factors. In clinical practice, these factors can be considered when interpreting NCS values.