|  | Conditions Treatments | Neurological Disorders

DADS Neuropathy

Distal acquired demyelinating symmetric (DADS) neuropathy is a member of a group of neuropathic disorders classified as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). To understand DADS neuropathy, you must first understand CIDP.

  1. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

    • CIDP is a disease which impairs the function of nerves and nerve roots. It is an acquired disorder which is typically treated with immunotherapy. Patients with CIDP may experience progressively worsening symptoms or periods of relapse and remission. CIDP disorders are most commonly found in older males. Causes are still mostly unknown.

    Symptoms

    • CIDP disorders like DADS neuropathy involve weakness of the muscles, diminished reflexes, sensory impairment, pain, constipation and spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the lumbar or cervical vertebrae. The weakness and sensory deprivation occurs gradually, usually moving from the distal, or outer, muscles to the proximal muscles. Movement of extremities may diminish.

    IgM Paraprotein

    • DADS neuropathy is distinguished from other CIDP disorders because of the presence of the IgM paraprotein. Too much of this protein in the blood damages myelin on the nerves. DADS neuropathy is also different in that patients are not responsive to standard immunotherapy. DADS is slower to progress than other variations of CIDP.

Neurological Disorders - Related Articles