[Motor-conduction velocity of cubital nerves in patients with leprosy reactions. Summary of a 13-year observation series during thalidomide therapy].

The motor conduction velocity of the ulnar nerves was examined repeatedly in 34 patients with lepromatous leprosy. In patients with active lesions the reduction in velocity paralleled clinical deterioration. In "burned-out" control patients, who had never suffered from leprosy reaction, the conduction velocity remained slow and unchanged over many years. Twenty-six of 34 patients suffering from leprosy reaction received Thalidomide treatment over a period of 6-13 years in order to suppress the reaction, with good effect. In none of these 26 patients neurotoxic disturbances were found.