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Impaired tactile sensation

MedGen UID:
866866
Concept ID:
C4021221
Finding
Synonyms: Abnormal thigmesthesia; Impaired touch sensation; Loss of tactile sensation
 
HPO: HP:0010830

Definition

A reduced sense of touch (tactile sensation). This is usually tested with a wisp of cotton or a fine camel's hair brush, by asking patients to say 'now' each time they feel the stimulus. [from HPO]

Term Hierarchy

Conditions with this feature

Channelopathy-associated congenital insensitivity to pain, autosomal recessive
MedGen UID:
344563
Concept ID:
C1855739
Disease or Syndrome
Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type II (HSAN2) is characterized by progressively reduced sensation to pain, temperature, and touch. Onset can be at birth and is often before puberty. The sensory deficit is predominantly distal with the lower limbs more severely affected than the upper limbs. Over time sensory function becomes severely reduced. Unnoticed injuries and neuropathic skin promote ulcerations and infections that result in spontaneous amputation of digits or the need for surgical amputation. Osteomyelitis is common. Painless fractures can complicate the disease. Autonomic disturbances are variable and can include hyperhidrosis, tonic pupils, and urinary incontinence in those with more advanced disease.
Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, impaired language, and gait abnormalities
MedGen UID:
1731507
Concept ID:
C5436783
Disease or Syndrome
Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, language delay, and gait abnormalities (NEDMILG) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by global developmental delay apparent in infancy. Affected individuals have delayed walking with variable gait abnormalities, impaired intellectual development with poor or absent speech and language, and progressive microcephaly. More variable features include hypotonia, early-onset seizures, and a peripheral demyelinating or axonal peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy. The disease follows a neurodegenerative course in many patients; clinical features suggest involvement of both the central and peripheral nervous systems (Manole et al., 2020).
Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, impaired language, epilepsy, and gait abnormalities
MedGen UID:
1764121
Concept ID:
C5436788
Disease or Syndrome
Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, impaired language, epilepsy, and gait abnormalities (NEDMILEG) is characterized by global developmental delay apparent in infancy. Affected individuals have delayed walking with variable gait abnormalities, including ataxia and spasticity, impaired intellectual development with poor or absent speech and language, and progressive microcephaly. Dysmorphic facial features may also be observed. Most patients have early-onset seizures; some may develop a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. The clinical features suggest involvement of both the central and peripheral nervous systems (Manole et al., 2020).
Neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal recessive 7
MedGen UID:
1786836
Concept ID:
C5543119
Disease or Syndrome
Autosomal recessive distal hereditary motor neuronopathy-7 (HMNR7) is characterized by onset of lower leg weakness in the first decade. Affected individuals have difficulty climbing stairs and problems standing on the heels. Some patients have later onset well into the adult years. Most patients have foot deformities, and some may have leg muscle atrophy. The disorder is slowly progressive and often involves the upper limbs. Muscle biopsy and electrophysiologic studies are consistent with both a myopathic process and an axonal motor neuropathy. Sensory abnormalities are not typically present, and patients remain ambulatory. The phenotype shows phenotypic overlap with distal hereditary motor neuropathy, but can distinguished by the presence of myopathic features (summary by Deschauer et al., 2021 and Pagnamenta et al., 2021). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of autosomal recessive HMN, see HMNR1 (604320).
Spastic paraplegia 85, autosomal recessive
MedGen UID:
1794263
Concept ID:
C5562053
Disease or Syndrome
Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia-85 (SPG85) is a neurologic disorder characterized by the onset of motor symptoms in the first few years of life. Affected individuals have spasticity and hyperreflexia of the lower limbs resulting in gait abnormalities. Older patients may have upper limb involvement and demonstrate axonal polyneuropathy. Additional features include optic atrophy, dysarthria, dysphagia, ataxia, and urinary incontinence. Brain imaging may show cerebellar atrophy (summary by Wagner et al., 2019). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia, see SPG5A (270800).
Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia type 78
MedGen UID:
1799316
Concept ID:
C5567893
Disease or Syndrome
Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia-78 is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized predominantly by spasticity and muscle weakness of the lower limbs, resulting in gait difficulties and loss of ambulation in some patients. Affected individuals also have cerebellar signs, such as dysarthria, oculomotor disturbances, and limb and gait ataxia; brain imaging shows cerebellar atrophy. Some patients may have mild cognitive impairment or frank dementia. The phenotype is highly variable (summary by Estrada-Cuzcano et al., 2017). Biallelic mutation in the ATP13A2 gene also causes Kufor-Rakeb syndrome (KRS; 606693), a neurodegenerative disorder with overlapping features. Patients with KRS have earlier onset and prominent parkinsonism. Loss of ATP13A2 function results in a multidimensional spectrum of neurologic features reflecting various regions of the brain and nervous system, including cortical, pyramidal, extrapyramidal, brainstem, cerebellar, and peripheral (summary by Estrada-Cuzcano et al., 2017).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Andersen Hammond E, Pitz M, Shay B
Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2019 Oct;33(10):792-799. Epub 2019 Jul 25 doi: 10.1177/1545968319860486. PMID: 31342880
COMMITTEE ON FETUS AND NEWBORN and SECTION ON ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PAIN MEDICINE
Pediatrics 2016 Feb;137(2):e20154271. Epub 2016 Jan 25 doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-4271. PMID: 26810788
Behrman S, Chouliaras L, Ebmeier KP
Maturitas 2014 Apr;77(4):305-10. Epub 2014 Jan 18 doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.01.003. PMID: 24495787

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Toibana N, Ishikawa N, Sakakibara H
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2002 Jan;75(1-2):106-10. doi: 10.1007/s004200100284. PMID: 11898869
Bovenzi M, Zadini A
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1989;61(7):431-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00386475. PMID: 2777386

Diagnosis

Reed CL, Caselli RJ, Farah MJ
Brain 1996 Jun;119 ( Pt 3):875-88. doi: 10.1093/brain/119.3.875. PMID: 8673499
Bovenzi M, Zadini A
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1989;61(7):431-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00386475. PMID: 2777386
Brammer AJ, Piercy JE, Auger PL
Scand J Work Environ Health 1987 Aug;13(4):380-4. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2025. PMID: 3433041

Therapy

Toibana N, Ishikawa N, Sakakibara H
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2002 Jan;75(1-2):106-10. doi: 10.1007/s004200100284. PMID: 11898869
Bovenzi M, Zadini A
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1989;61(7):431-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00386475. PMID: 2777386
Brammer AJ, Piercy JE, Auger PL
Scand J Work Environ Health 1987 Aug;13(4):380-4. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2025. PMID: 3433041

Prognosis

Bovenzi M, Zadini A
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1989;61(7):431-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00386475. PMID: 2777386

Clinical prediction guides

Bovenzi M, Zadini A
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1989;61(7):431-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00386475. PMID: 2777386

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