Polyneuropathy and aged cheese
Schultsz, J.C.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 128(9): 412-413
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 6325955 Document Number: 226741
This letter from a medical practitioner reports the case of a 49-yr-old woman who for about 3 years had been having pain in both legs and arms, causing her increasing difficulty in walking. Polyneuropathy was diagnosed but failed to respond to treatment until it was discovered that for many years the patient had been eating large quantities of very old cheese for breakfast. Within a few weeks after consumption of this cheese ceased the pains and neurological symptoms disappeared, with restoration of reflexes. It is suggested that the problem may have been due to tyramine affecting the transmission of impulses from the motor nerves to the muscles, possibly by acting as a false transmitter.