--there are a number of other immunological tests that can be done, based on the type of neuropathy one has, that look for specific antibodies to components of peripheral nerve.

The most common tests that are done are thsoe for anti-MAG (myelin associated glycoprotein) antibodies; these are common in certain demyelinating sensory syndromes. One also is usally tested for the sulfated glycoprotein (SPGP) as well.

Then, there are tests for the anti-sulfatide antibody (often found in syndromes with sensory loss or dysthetic symptoms), and others for specific components of nerve, labelled GM1 (this one is found in many motor syndromes), GD1a and GD1b (mixed sensory-motor syndromes), GQ1b (Miller-Fisher and other neuro-ophthalmologic syndromes), anti-Tubulin (soemtimes found in chronic demyelinating neuropathies), some other antibodies associated with vasculitis or ANA, such as c-ANCA and p-ANCA, and those associated with paraneoplastic syndromes (anti-Hu, anti-Yo, anti-Ri).

You can see this gets complicated. Very few centers have the capacity to run all these tests. Many neuros don't even know of the existence of some of them. It's why places like Cornell-Weill, Hopkins, Mayo, and the Jack Miller Center are so valuable--much of the research on these autoantibodies stems from these centers.

LizaJane has all these on her charts, as well as some more associated with attacks on other organs (such as the pancreas and thyroid gland).

Here's a good paper that describes blood/serum tests for neuropathy:

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/...eralNeurop.htm

I think I need to keep an eye out for sjogrens, and will ask my neuro about more specific tests. I am not due for another 2 months yet. She sees me every 3 months.

Glen, is vaculitis a cause for PN? How does one know if they have vasculitis??

There are many vasculitic diseases that can cause neuropathy as a secondary complication, either through compressive swelling on nerves caused by inflammation, or through ischemic breakdown of blood vessels that support tissue, including nerve, so that nerves no longer get sufficient nutrition, oxygen, or metabolic waste removal.

Nerves affected can be varied, from the small unmyelinated fibers to the largest ones (the latter often happens as a mononeuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex).

Many of the ANA-related autoimmunities have vasculitic components, so neuropathy can happen in lupus, Sjogren's, Churg-Strauss, Polyarteritis Nodosa, Bechet's disease . . .there's even an entity known as peripheral-nerve specific vasculitis.

The Washington University Neuromuscular site has a good listing of these:

http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/neuromusc...tml#vasculitis