Gabapentin Therapy for Acute Sensory Neuronopathy: A case report

ABSTRACT

Sensory neuronopathy (sensory ganglionitis), believed to be caused by an autoimmune attack against the dorsal root ganglia, has been recently linked with antiganglioside antibodies (anti-GD 1b). We present a case of idiopathic sensory neuronopathy with a positive anti-GD 1b IgG. The patient showed functional improvement with the use of gabapentin and immediately showed a resumption of symptoms when its use was stopped. Currently there is no proven therapy for sensory neuronopathy and the effect of immunosuppressive and intra venous immunoglobulin has been reported with mixed results. Also, there has been no research yet on the use and effect of gabapentin in sensory neuronopathy. This case shows that gabapentin alleviated neuropathic pain and tingling sensation in sensory neuronopathy. The authors believe that gabapentin modulated the voltage dependent calcium channels in the dorsal root ganglion and that this led to overall clinical and functional improvement. The curative or relieving effect of gabapentin in sensory neuronopathy still needs more research in the future.