Mechanisms of early and late recovery in acute motor axonal neuropathy.

Motor unit number estimate (MUNE) of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) was sequentially performed in seven patients with acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). The MUNE markedly decreased (mean, 11) at the peak of the illness. Clinical recovery of APB strength began during week 4, with an increase in amplitude of distal compound muscle action potentials. The MUNE did not change significantly in this early recovery phase and increased slowly with time. The main mechanism for early recovery in AMAN may be collateral reinnervation, with nerve regeneration developing later.