Skin biopsy in entrapment neuropathy

• Grant number: 15/00603-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2015
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Anatomy
• Principal Investigator: Marucia Chacur
• Grantee: Igor Rafael Correia Rocha
• Supervisor: Annina Schmid
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University of Oxford, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/19837-8 - Role of neural mobilization technique on inflammatory response and behavior in Wistar rats after induction of neuropathic pain, BP.IC

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy. In this work, we investigate its effect on the morphology of small unmyelinated as well as myelinated sensory axons and relate such changes to somatosensory function and clinical symptoms. Patients (volunteers) with a clinical and electrophysiological diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome will participate in this study. Small and large fibers function will be examined with quantitative sensory testing in the median nerve territory of the hand. A skin biopsy will be taken from a median nerve innervated area of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. Immunohistochemical staining for protein gene product 9.5 and myelin basic protein will be used to evaluate morphological features of unmyelinated and myelinated axons. (AU)