Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1987 Sep;50(9):1160–1164. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.50.9.1160

Paradoxical effects of temperature in multiple sclerosis.

W P Honan 1, J R Heron 1, D H Foster 1, R S Snelgar 1
PMCID: PMC1032349  PMID: 3668565

Abstract

Six cases of multiple sclerosis are reported in which cold produced a temporary exacerbation of symptoms and signs of the disease. Also, in one case investigated in detail by psychophysical methods, heating produced a paradoxical deterioration in vision and simultaneous improvement in sensory and motor function. The effect of temperature in multiple sclerosis is discussed and a physiological explanation for the paradoxical response to heating is suggested.

Full text

PDF
1160

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Berger J. R., Sheremata W. A. Persistent neurological deficit precipitated by hot bath test in multiple sclerosis. JAMA. 1983 Apr 1;249(13):1751–1753. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Davis F. A. Axonal conduction studies based on some considerations of temperature effects in multiple sclerosis. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1970 Mar;28(3):281–286. doi: 10.1016/0013-4694(70)90164-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Davis F. A., Michael J. A., Tomaszewski J. S. Fluctuation of motor function in multiple sclerosis related to circadian temperature variations. Dis Nerv Syst. 1973 Jan;34(1):33–36. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Davis F. A. The hot bath test in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. J Mt Sinai Hosp N Y. 1966 May-Jun;33(3):280–282. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Foster D. H., Snelgar R. S., Heron J. R. Nonselective losses in foveal chromatic and luminance sensitivity in multiple sclerosis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1985 Oct;26(10):1431–1441. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Geller M. Appearance of signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis in response to cold. Mt Sinai J Med. 1974 Jan-Feb;41(1):127–130. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Hauser S. L., Dawson D. M., Lehrich J. R., Beal M. F., Kevy S. V., Propper R. D., Mills J. A., Weiner H. L. Intensive immunosuppression in progressive multiple sclerosis. A randomized, three-arm study of high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide, plasma exchange, and ACTH. N Engl J Med. 1983 Jan 27;308(4):173–180. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198301273080401. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Koradecka D. Changes in the threshold of vibration sensibility depending on skin temperature. Acta Physiol Pol. 1974 May;25(3):207–214. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Kurtzke J. F. Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis: an expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Neurology. 1983 Nov;33(11):1444–1452. doi: 10.1212/wnl.33.11.1444. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. McDonald W. I., Halliday A. M. Diagnosis and classification of multiple sclerosis. Br Med Bull. 1977 Jan;33(1):4–9. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Michael J. A., Davis F. A. Effects of induced hyperthermia in multiple sclerosis: differences in visual acuity during heating and recovery phases. Acta Neurol Scand. 1973;49(2):141–151. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1973.tb01286.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. NELSON D. A., McDOWELL F. The effects of induced hyperthermia on patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1959 May;22(2):113–116. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.22.2.113. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Namerow N. S. Circadian temperature rhythm and vision in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 1968 May;18(5):417–422. doi: 10.1212/wnl.18.5.417. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Namerow N. S. Temperature effect on critical flicker fusion in multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol. 1971 Sep;25(3):269–275. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1971.00490030095012. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Rasminsky M. The effects of temperature on conduction in demyelinated single nerve fibers. Arch Neurol. 1973 May;28(5):287–292. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1973.00490230023001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Regan D., Murray T. J., Silver R. Effect of body temperature on visual evoked potential delay and visual perception in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1977 Nov;40(11):1083–1091. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.40.11.1083. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Schauf C. L., Davis F. A. Impulse conduction in multiple sclerosis: a theoretical basis for modification by temperature and pharmacological agents. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1974 Feb;37(2):152–161. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.37.2.152. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. WATSON C. W. Effect of lowering of body temperature on the symptoms and signs of multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 1959 Dec 17;261:1253–1259. doi: 10.1056/NEJM195912172612501. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES