Hyperlipidemic Neuropathy and Dementia

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Mixed types of sensory and motor peripheral neuropahty and dementia occurred as neurological complications in patients with established type IV and type V hyperlipoproteinemia. These complications were remediable by control of the hyperlipoproteinemia with diet and/or clofibrate resulting in symptomatic improvement as well as restitution of nerve conduction velocities toward normal. Diabetes mellitus and systemic metabolic and toxic disorders which commonly produce neurological complications were excluded. Segmental demyelination with disorganization of myelin lamellae were striking morphological features found on sural nerve biopsy. Fluctuations in memory performance correlated inversely with plasma lipid levels and appeared to be a characteristic feature of hyperlipidemic dementia. Hyperlipidemic neuropathy and dementia, although rare, are remediable neurological disorders which should be considered in patients with neuropathy and/or dementia of unknown origin.