65. Laser evoked potentials and skin biopsy to evaluate small nerve fiber dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy type 1(DM1): A preliminary study

Myotonic dystrophytype 1 (DM1) is a multisystem disorder that affects skeletal and smooth muscle as well as the eye, heart, endocrine system, and central nervous system. We recruited 3 patients with previously diagnosed DM1 (mean age was 51 ± 8 years; height 166 ± 8 cm) who underwent leg skin biopsyand laser evoked potentials (LEP). The specific aim of this study is to ascertain the small nerve fiber involvement in DM1 by means of LEP and skin biopsy. Two patents showed abnormalities in both LEP and skin biopsywhereas one patient displayed abnormal skin biopsybut normal findings in LEP. Our data demonstrated a reasonable concordance between LEP and skin biopsyin evaluating small fiber loss in DM1. However, these are preliminary data and a larger number of patients must be recruited before to draw any definite conclusion.