Diabetic neuropathy – has carbamazepine a peripheral membrane stabilizing effect?

Diabetic neuropathy – has carbamazepine a peripheral membrane stabilizing effect?

D. Kountouris and G. Janhofer (Bochum and Hamburg, F.R.G.)

Fiber density blockings and jitter values of muscle tibialis anterior were measured in 61 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy by means of single fiber electromyography. In addition, blockings and jitter values of the same muscle were determined between each single muscle fiber potential of the same motor unit by means of computer analysis by using a special jitter measuring program in all of the patients

The results were compared to the results of a group of healthy subjects matched for age and sex. In 16 patients (8 of them having been treated with carbamazepine) all neurophysiological examinations were repeated 8 weeks later and the new results were compared to the earlier findings.

In these patients the blockings and jitter values of each single muscle fiber potential of the same motor unit were increased. The fiber density values on the other hand, were not significantly increased. This fact indicates a reduced reinnervation capacity of the peripheral membrane disorders in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Treatment with carbamazepine in such patients led to obvious reductions of the blockings and jitter values. This proves the usefulness of carbamazepine in stabilizing membrane disorders.

Abstract published in Journal of Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1987;66(5)

Paper presented at the VIIIth International Congress of Elecrtomyography and Related Clinical Neurophysiology, Sorrento, Italy, May 24-27, 1987.