Current opinion in neurology
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Peripheral neuropathy is a common neurotoxic effect of medications. When medications are used to treat life-threatening illnesses, balancing the toxic effects of peripheral neuropathy with the therapeutic benefits of the drug can be difficult. This article examines recent research into the cellular mechanisms associated with neuropathy after treatment with medications to treat cancer, and HIV, and to prevent transplant rejection. ⋯ Improved understanding of neurotoxic mechanisms in the peripheral nervous system associated with chemotherapeutic and anti-HIV medications, coupled with early improved diagnosis, promises to help limit neurotoxicity associated with these medications.
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To highlight recent advances in understanding the clinical manifestations and molecular genetics of myotonic syndromes, with particular emphasis on the myotonic dystrophies. ⋯ It now appears likely that myotonic dystrophy is the first instance of a genetic disease in which the harmful effect of a mutation involves the production of a pathogenic RNA. However, the exact mechanism is not understood, and it is unclear whether this RNA-mediated disease process is also responsible for the manifestations of myotonic dystrophy in non-muscle tissues.