Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41340583›Full record

ArticleMuscle & nerve2026

Nerve Ultrasound in Patients With Friedreich Ataxia.

Katharina Kneer, Jan-Hendrik Stahl, Natalie Winter, Julia Wittlinger, Stephanie Männlin, Toghrul Gasimli, Ludger Schöls, Zofia Fleszar, Stefanie Hayer, Alexander Grimm

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Muscle & nerve, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Katharina KneerDepartment of Neurology and Epileptology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8885-1532
Jan-Hendrik StahlDepartment of Neurology and Epileptology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5155-719X
Natalie WinterDepartment of Neurology and Epileptology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany.
Julia WittlingerDepartment of Neurology and Epileptology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany.
Stephanie MännlinDepartment of Neurology and Epileptology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany.
Toghrul GasimliDepartment of Neurology and Epileptology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany.
Ludger SchölsHertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Zofia FleszarHertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Stefanie HayerHertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Alexander GrimmDepartment of Neurology and Epileptology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany.

Funding

Open Access Publishing Fund of the University of Tübingen
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

INTRODUCTION/

aimsNerve enlargement has been reported in patients with Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). The underlying cause remains unclear, and both inflammatory processes and dysmyelination have been suggested as potential mechanisms. This study was aimed at assessing nerve morphology with high-resolution ultrasound, to identify and describe patterns of nerve pathology.

methodsPatients with genetically confirmed FRDA were included, clinically examined, and assessed with high-resolution ultrasound. Cross-sectional area measurements were compared with previously published normal values.

resultsAmong 20 included patients, ultrasound abnormalities were found in 17 (85%). Nerve enlargement of the median and/or ulnar nerve in the proximal nerve segments was observed in 45% of patients and was statistically significant compared to published normal values. Lower extremity nerve enlargement was observed in 20% of patients. Eight patients did not show any nerve enlargement. Diminished cross-sectional area, indicative of nerve atrophy, was present, particularly in the distal segments of the ulnar nerve (in 25% of patients, p < 0.05) and the tibial nerve (popliteal fossa in 30% of patients, medial malleolus in 30% of patients, both p < 0.05). Nerve enlargement showed no significant correlations with disease severity or age of disease onset. DISCUSSION: Peripheral nerve morphology in FRDA is variable and includes not only nerve enlargement but also nerve atrophy, thus reflecting complex segmental pathology beyond axonal degeneration.

Indexed as

Friedreich AtaxiaMedian NervePeripheral NervesUlnar NerveAdolescentAdultChildFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedUltrasonographyYoung AdultFriedreich ataxianerve ultrasoundneurodegenerative diseaseperipheral neuropathy

Identifiers

PMID41340583
PMCPMC12888831

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.