Chronic proximal muscular weakness in alcoholics.

In spite of the fact that peripheral neuropathy is very common in alcoholics, the chronic proximal muscular weakness and wasting found in alcoholics have been ascribed to myopathy. A clinical, biochemical, and histological study of 13 patients provided evidence for neuropathy. Enzymic histochemistry of muscle demonstrated selective type 2 neurogenic atrophy with evidence of reinnervation.