BACKGROUND: Damage of the peripheral nervous system is particularly frequent in @entity6 ( @entity6 ), but somatic @entity129 usually presenting as @entity4216 are rare. @entity2895 are among the most commonly affected, whereas the Vth, IXth and Xth cranial nerves are less often affected. While existing neurophysiological tests in the subclinical diagnosis of @entity1897 in @entity6 @entity1 have advanced, the same does not hold true for the subclinical diagnosis of the central nervous system (CNS). Electrophysiological studies such as the blink reflex was shown to be an effective method for revealing @entity129 in generalised @entity16 . The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of blink reflex as a method for obtaining early diagnosis of cranial nerve involvement in @entity6 @entity1 frequently affected with @entity1897 . METHODS: Twenty @entity6 @entity1 with electrophysiologically confirmed @entity16 were included in the present study for the evaluation of blink reflex. @entity1 with earlier cranial nerve involvement were excluded. RESULTS: Abnormal blink reflex responses were found in 55% of @entity1 studied. R2Y and R2C latencies in @entity6 @entity1 were prolonged relative to controls (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). However R1 values in @entity6 @entity1 did not differ significantly from those of normal controls (p<0.5). R2Y and R2C prolongation showed a positive correlation with the duration of disease (p=0.015 and p=0.009, respectively). However the same correlation could not be found with R1 values. No correlations were found between R1, @entity69441 , R2C values and HbA(1c) nor between R1, @entity69441 , R2C values and @entity1 ' age. CONCLUSION: We suggest that blink reflex testing is a useful method for obtaining early diagnosis of @entity129 in @entity6 @entity1 who do not show any clinical symptoms or signs of CNS involvement.

Blink reflex XXXX .

@entity129 :: ('MESH:D003389', 'Disease') :: ['cranial neuropathies', 'subclinical involvement of cranial nerves', 'cranial nerve compromise'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'Patients'] @entity6 :: ('MESH:D003920', 'Disease') :: ['diabetic', 'diabetes mellitus', 'DM'] @entity16 :: ('MESH:D009422', 'Disease') :: ['neuropathies', 'neuropathy'] @entity2895 :: ('MESH:D015840', 'Disease') :: ['Oculomotor and facial nerves'] @entity1897 :: ('MESH:D010523', 'Disease') :: ['peripheral neuropathy', 'damage to the peripheral nerve'] @entity69441 :: ('p|SUB|R|2|Y', 'ProteinMutation') :: ['R2Y'] @entity4216 :: ('MESH:D020422', 'Disease') :: ['mononeuropathies']
@entity6 :: (MESH:D003920,Disease) :: ['abnormalities in diabetes mellitus']
