Blood, 1946, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 209-219.
© 1946 American Society of Hematology, Inc.
PROGNOSIS IN THE NEUROLOGIC MANIFESTATIONS
OF PERNICIOUS ANEMIA
R. WAYNE RUNDLES PH.D., M.D.1
1 Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine. This study was begun at the
Simpson Memorial Institute, University of Michigan. The crystalline vitamin products were furnished by
the Upjohn Company.
Four types of disturbed neurologic function occur in pernicious anemia: (1)
cerebral, (2) olfactory, (3) peripheral nerve and posterior columns of the spinal
cord, and (4) lateral columns of the spinal cord. The neurologic prognosis depends
upon the specific type of disability present, its severity, duration, and the adequacy
of treatment. With intensive use of highly potent liver extracts intramuscularly
the prognosis is far better than generally recognized. Serious neurologic residuals
can be avoided if the diagnosis is made reasonably early.
