Fatty acid composition of myelin lipids (cerebrosides, sulphatides and sphingomyelin) from normal human sural nerve, and changes in peripheral neuropathy.

Fatty acids of cerebrosides, sulphatides and sphingomyelin from normal human sural nerve, by comparison with brain, show a diminution of long-chained fatty acids as well as unsaturated fatty acids. The findings in brachial plexus are intermediate. In cases of peripheral neuropathy from various causes sphingomyelin fatty acid composition reveals pronounced loss of long-chained fatty acids, a phenomenon that is probably unspecific and may be associated with all forms of demyelination. Problems associated with the limited amount of nervous tissue available from biopsy specimens are discussed.