Jamaican neuropathy

Jamaican neuropathy

A condition characterized by spasticity and other signs of corticospinal tract disease Types 1. Ataxic–more common in Nigeria, accompanied by sensory ataxia, numbing and burning of feet, deafness, visual defects with optic atrophy, central scotoma, spasticity, leg atrophy, footdrop, findings that may be due to subclinical malnutrition; 2. Tropical spastic paraparesis–subacute neuropathy with predominantly pyramidal tract disease which affects the posterior column, causing paresthesia, loss of sensation, bladder dysfunction and girdling lumbar pain; 80% of JN Pts have antibodies to HTLV-I