Demyelinating neuropathies often cause significant weakness, sensory loss, and pain. In this test-specific episode of the "Answers From the Lab" podcast, John Mills, Ph.D., and Divyanshu Dubey, M.B.B.S., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new test panel can identify a specific cause and guide treatment for these rapidly progressing autoimmune conditions.

The panel can detect several different antibodies specific for autoimmune demyelinating neuropathies. "The panel approach ensures that an important antibody is not accidentally forgotten from the workup," Dr. Mills says. "The results should help physicians distinguish between various potential causes of a patient's demyelinating neuropathy, which has implications for treatment decisions and prognosis."

Comprised of Mayo Clinic-validated assays, the panel is designed to avoid the false-positive results that can occur with testing for these antibodies.

"Specificity is a critical part of our lab. We utilize the best possible assays and set our cutoffs to minimize false positives," Dr. Dubey says.

The panel is recommended for patients once electromyography nerve conduction studies have indicated an underlying demyelinating neuropathy. Mayo Clinic Laboratories also offers an axonal neuropathy panel (Mayo ID: AIAES) when that etiology is suspected.

Listen to learn more about Mayo Clinic Laboratories' demyelinating neuropathy panel.

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Testing

DMNES  | Peripheral Nervous System Demyelinating Neuropathy, Autoimmune Evaluation, Serum

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