U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Wallerian degeneration

MedGen UID:
12132
•Concept ID:
C0043020
•
Cell or Molecular Dysfunction
Synonym: Wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract
SNOMED CT: Wallerian degeneration (36161006); Secondary degeneration (36161006)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0043280

Definition

A condition caused by degeneration, atrophy, and destruction of the distal part of a nerve fiber''s axon and myelin, when continuity with the neural cell nucleus has been severed due to injury. Signs and symptoms include muscle weakness, altered sensation, and limb numbness. [from NCI]

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle lesions: Neuroimaging features and differential diagnoses.
Jiang J, Wang J, Lin M, Wang X, Zhao J, Shang X
Brain Behav 2020 Oct;10(10):e01778. Epub 2020 Aug 5 doi: 10.1002/brb3.1778. PMID: 32755074Free PMC Article
Percutaneous Neurolysis for Pain Management in Oncological Patients.
Filippiadis DK, Tselikas L, Tsitskari M, Kelekis A, de Baere T, Ryan AG
Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2019 Jun;42(6):791-799. Epub 2019 Feb 19 doi: 10.1007/s00270-019-02185-x. PMID: 30783779
Differential diagnosis of T2 hyperintense brainstem lesions: Part 2. Diffuse lesions.
Guzmán-De-Villoria JA, Ferreiro-Argüelles C, Fernández-García P
Semin Ultrasound CT MR 2010 Jun;31(3):260-74. doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2010.03.002. PMID: 20483393

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Evaluation of the Aging Effect on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Systematic Review.
Maita KC, Garcia JP, Avila FR, Torres-Guzman RA, Ho O, Chini CCS, Chini EN, Forte AJ
J Surg Res 2023 Aug;288:329-340. Epub 2023 Apr 14 doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.03.017. PMID: 37060859
Peripheral Nerve Injuries: Electrophysiology for the Neurosurgeon.
Kamble N, Shukla D, Bhat D
Neurol India 2019 Nov-Dec;67(6):1419-1422. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.273626. PMID: 31857526
Tracking posttraumatic hemianopia.
Decramer T, Van Keer K, Stalmans P, Dupont P, Sunaert S, Theys T
J Neurol 2018 Jan;265(1):41-45. Epub 2017 Nov 6 doi: 10.1007/s00415-017-8661-2. PMID: 29110092
Nerve physiology: mechanisms of injury and recovery.
Menorca RM, Fussell TS, Elfar JC
Hand Clin 2013 Aug;29(3):317-30. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2013.04.002. PMID: 23895713Free PMC Article
Neuronal alpha-synucleinopathy with severe movement disorder in mice expressing A53T human alpha-synuclein.
Giasson BI, Duda JE, Quinn SM, Zhang B, Trojanowski JQ, Lee VM
Neuron 2002 May 16;34(4):521-33. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(02)00682-7. PMID: 12062037

Diagnosis

Imaging secondary neuronal degeneration.
Montoya-Filardi A, García-Junco Albacete M, Ortolá Fortes P, Carreres Polo J
Radiologia (Engl Ed) 2022 Mar-Apr;64(2):145-155. doi: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2022.01.001. PMID: 35504680
Peripheral Nerve Injuries: Electrophysiology for the Neurosurgeon.
Kamble N, Shukla D, Bhat D
Neurol India 2019 Nov-Dec;67(6):1419-1422. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.273626. PMID: 31857526
Axon death signalling in Wallerian degeneration among species and in disease.
Llobet Rosell A, Neukomm LJ
Open Biol 2019 Aug 30;9(8):190118. Epub 2019 Aug 28 doi: 10.1098/rsob.190118. PMID: 31455157Free PMC Article
Differential diagnosis of T2 hyperintense brainstem lesions: Part 2. Diffuse lesions.
Guzmán-De-Villoria JA, Ferreiro-Argüelles C, Fernández-García P
Semin Ultrasound CT MR 2010 Jun;31(3):260-74. doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2010.03.002. PMID: 20483393
Diagnosis, natural history, and management of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Pareyson D, Marchesi C
Lancet Neurol 2009 Jul;8(7):654-67. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70110-3. PMID: 19539237

Therapy

Diffuse Axonal Injury and Oxidative Stress: A Comprehensive Review.
Frati A, Cerretani D, Fiaschi AI, Frati P, Gatto V, La Russa R, Pesce A, Pinchi E, Santurro A, Fraschetti F, Fineschi V
Int J Mol Sci 2017 Dec 2;18(12) doi: 10.3390/ijms18122600. PMID: 29207487Free PMC Article
Therapeutic implications of toll-like receptors in peripheral neuropathic pain.
Thakur KK, Saini J, Mahajan K, Singh D, Jayswal DP, Mishra S, Bishayee A, Sethi G, Kunnumakkara AB
Pharmacol Res 2017 Jan;115:224-232. Epub 2016 Nov 25 doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.11.019. PMID: 27894923
Future neuroprotective strategies.
Sättler MB, Bähr M
Exp Neurol 2010 Sep;225(1):40-7. Epub 2009 Aug 27 doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.08.016. PMID: 19716365
Diagnosis, natural history, and management of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Pareyson D, Marchesi C
Lancet Neurol 2009 Jul;8(7):654-67. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70110-3. PMID: 19539237
Thalidomide-induced neuropathy.
Chaudhry V, Cornblath DR, Corse A, Freimer M, Simmons-O'Brien E, Vogelsang G
Neurology 2002 Dec 24;59(12):1872-5. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000037480.59194.85. PMID: 12499476

Prognosis

Peripheral Nerve Injuries: Electrophysiology for the Neurosurgeon.
Kamble N, Shukla D, Bhat D
Neurol India 2019 Nov-Dec;67(6):1419-1422. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.273626. PMID: 31857526
Tracking posttraumatic hemianopia.
Decramer T, Van Keer K, Stalmans P, Dupont P, Sunaert S, Theys T
J Neurol 2018 Jan;265(1):41-45. Epub 2017 Nov 6 doi: 10.1007/s00415-017-8661-2. PMID: 29110092
Wallerian Degeneration Beyond the Corticospinal Tracts: Conventional and Advanced MRI Findings.
Chen YJ, Nabavizadeh SA, Vossough A, Kumar S, Loevner LA, Mohan S
J Neuroimaging 2017 May;27(3):272-280. Epub 2016 Nov 7 doi: 10.1111/jon.12404. PMID: 28072502
Neurotrauma and inflammation: CNS and PNS responses.
Mietto BS, Mostacada K, Martinez AM
Mediators Inflamm 2015;2015:251204. Epub 2015 Mar 31 doi: 10.1155/2015/251204. PMID: 25918475Free PMC Article
Diagnosis, natural history, and management of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Pareyson D, Marchesi C
Lancet Neurol 2009 Jul;8(7):654-67. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70110-3. PMID: 19539237

Clinical prediction guides

Mitochondrial Localization of SARM1 in Acrylamide Intoxication Induces Mitophagy and Limits Neuropathy.
Wang S, Song M, Yong H, Zhang C, Kang K, Liu Z, Yang Y, Huang Z, Wang S, Ge H, Zhao X, Song F
Mol Neurobiol 2022 Dec;59(12):7337-7353. Epub 2022 Sep 29 doi: 10.1007/s12035-022-03050-8. PMID: 36171479
Mechanisms of injury-induced axon degeneration.
Ding C, Hammarlund M
Curr Opin Neurobiol 2019 Aug;57:171-178. Epub 2019 May 6 doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.03.006. PMID: 31071521Free PMC Article
Clinical and Radiological Features of Wallerian Degeneration of the Middle Cerebellar Peduncles Secondary to Pontine Infarction.
Zhang ZY, Liu ZQ, Qin W, Chen YW, Liu ZJ
Chin Med J (Engl) 2018 Mar 20;131(6):665-671. doi: 10.4103/0366-6999.226890. PMID: 29521288Free PMC Article
Relationship of acute axonal damage, Wallerian degeneration, and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis.
Singh S, Dallenga T, Winkler A, Roemer S, Maruschak B, Siebert H, Brück W, Stadelmann C
J Neuroinflammation 2017 Mar 17;14(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s12974-017-0831-8. PMID: 28302146Free PMC Article
Neuroimaging in multiple sclerosis.
Zivadinov R, Cox JL
Int Rev Neurobiol 2007;79:449-74. doi: 10.1016/S0074-7742(07)79020-7. PMID: 17531854

Recent systematic reviews

Evaluation of the Aging Effect on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Systematic Review.
Maita KC, Garcia JP, Avila FR, Torres-Guzman RA, Ho O, Chini CCS, Chini EN, Forte AJ
J Surg Res 2023 Aug;288:329-340. Epub 2023 Apr 14 doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.03.017. PMID: 37060859
Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
Lindsey HM, Hodges CB, Greer KM, Wilde EA, Merkley TL
Neuropsychol Rev 2023 Mar;33(1):42-121. Epub 2021 Mar 15 doi: 10.1007/s11065-021-09485-5. PMID: 33721207
How miRNAs Regulate Schwann Cells during Peripheral Nerve Regeneration-A Systemic Review.
Borger A, Stadlmayr S, Haertinger M, Semmler L, Supper P, Millesi F, Radtke C
Int J Mol Sci 2022 Mar 22;23(7) doi: 10.3390/ijms23073440. PMID: 35408800Free PMC Article
Polyethylene Glycol: The Future of Posttraumatic Nerve Repair? Systemic Review.
Paskal AM, Paskal W, Pietruski P, Wlodarski PK
Int J Mol Sci 2019 Mar 24;20(6) doi: 10.3390/ijms20061478. PMID: 30909624Free PMC Article
Integrating retrogenesis theory to Alzheimer's disease pathology: insight from DTI-TBSS investigation of the white matter microstructural integrity.
Alves GS, Oertel Knöchel V, Knöchel C, Carvalho AF, Pantel J, Engelhardt E, Laks J
Biomed Res Int 2015;2015:291658. Epub 2015 Jan 20 doi: 10.1155/2015/291658. PMID: 25685779Free PMC Article

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Reviews

    Related information

    • MeSH
      Related Medical Subject Headings
    • PMC Articles
      Related information in PubMed Central Links
    • PubMed
      Related literature resources in PubMed

    Recent activity

    Clear Turn Off Turn On

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...