Nubit | Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common neurological conditions

Exploring Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy

The nervous system is responsible for receiving and processing the information that comes from the environment around us and from inside the body^[1]. Thus, it directs conscious voluntary actions, while controlling most of our involuntary internal functions, such as breathing. How does it accomplish all of this?

Types of peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common neurological conditions. Currently, more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy have been defined, based on their symptoms and prognosis^[3].

What symptoms does a person with peripheral neuropathy experience?

The PNS has the ability to recover after injury^[61]

How does the external contribution of nucleotides help in regenerative processes?

Peripheral neuropathy encompasses any disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system

The nervous system is responsible for receiving and processing the information that comes from the environment around us and from inside the body^[1]. Thus, it directs conscious voluntary actions, while controlling most of our involuntary internal functions, such as breathing.How does it accomplish all of this?

Neurons transmit information by sending and receiving electrical signals or nerve impulses throughout the nervous system.^[1].

From the anatomical point of view, the nervous system is divided into^[1]:

Central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS), this is made up of a network of nerves that connect and transmit message between the CNS and the rest of the body.

The term peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves.

Neurons are cells that conduct electrical signals

The nervous system is made up of several trillion nerve cells or neurons, each of which consists of a cell body and several extensions ^[1].

Myelination is key to ensuring proper nerve conduction

The myelin sheath, a protective insulating layer enveloping the neuron’s axon, facilitates the conduction of electrical impulses along the axons.In the PNS, myelin is made by Schwann cells through a process called myelination^[2].

More about peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy arises from the degeneration of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), leading to the impairment of nerves responsible for transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. Consequently, the communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the rest of the body experiences distortion or disruption.^[3]

So, injuries or damage to the PNS can be caused at different levels^[4]:

in the neuronal body
in the axon
and/or in the myelin sheath

Bibliographic references

1. How does the nervous system work? – InformedHealth.org – NCBI Bookshelf. 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279390/ (accessed June 23, 2021).

2. Bhatheja K, Field J. Schwann cells: Origins and role in axonal maintenance and regeneration. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2006;38:1995–9. doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2006.05.007.

3. Neuropatía periférica | NINDS Español. https://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/es/trastornos/forma-larga/neuropatia-peri… (accessed June 23, 2021).

4. Casademont Pou J. Neuropatías: concepto, manifestaciones clínicas, clasificación, diagnóstico, pruebas complementarias y estrategias terapéuticas. Med – Programa Form Médica Contin Acreditado 2003;8:5373–8. doi:10.1016/s0304-5412(03)70997-4.

61. Huebner EA, Strittmatter SM. Axon regeneration in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Results Probl Cell Differ 2009;48:339–51. doi:10.1007/400_2009_19.