Citation

Sabin TD. Neurologist 1996; 2(3): 176-184.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND- Techniques in neuroscience research have effectively exploited retrograde axonal transport to study connectivity of the neurons. Certain pathogens are also known to be conveyed in axons and show clinical features in common. REVIEW SUMMARY- Certain toxins and viruses that are notable to achieve entry into the nervous system by penetrating the blood-brain barrier nevertheless achieve access to neurons by entering terminals that are outside the central nervous system via the retrograde transport system. All neurons that are potentially vulnerable to this attack can be identified after an intravenous injection of horseradish peroxidase. These include cells with terminals in the circumventricular organs as well as motor neurons, autonomics, and sensory ganglion cells. Pathogens that require retrograde transport into neurons may produce singular clinical phenomena including proximal to distal evolution of motor or sensory deficits, use-related paralysis, and local effect.

CONCLUSION- Diseases such as lead neuropathy, poliomyelitis, tetanus, and rabies require invasion of the nervous system through the use of retrograde transport systems. These illnesses show shared clinical features that may be sought in other diseases as diverse as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and porphyria.

Language: en

Keywords

Tetanus; Rabies; Axonal transport; Focal paralysis; Lead neuropathy; Neuropathies; Poliomyelitis; Porphyria; Short fiber neuropathy