Filamentous axonopathy in disulfiram neuropathy

Abstract

A 52-year-old female developed a sensorimotor polyneuropathy while on treatment with disulfiram. Electron microscopic examination of a sural nerve biopsy disclosed occasional axons distended by intermediate filaments. Identical changes can be induced in animals by carbon disulfide (CS2), a metabolite of disulfiram. Our findings suggest that disulfiram neurotoxicity is mediated by CS2 and is exerted on the distal axon.