• Weakness of any area of the body, facial weakness, or weakness of the arms or legs
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty using the legs or feet
• Difficulty using the arms or hands (legs and feet usually affected first)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Decreased sensation of any area of the body
• Pain, burning, tingling, or abnormal sensation of any area of the body
• Numbness, loss of sensation in the arms or legs

A neuromuscular examination shows sensory and movement abnormalities. There is a pattern of slow progression of weakness or sensation changes. Sensation deficits usually occur in a symmetrical pattern and progress from distal areas to proximal locations.

Reflexes may be decreased or absent. Muscle weakness or paralysis of the affected area may be present. A muscle twitch (fasciculations) or muscle atrophy may be apparent.

An EMG (a test of electrical activity in muscles) may indicate the type and degree of peripheral nerve injury. Nerve conduction tests may indicate the loss of the myelin sheath (slow conduction rate) or degeneration of the axon of the nerve cell (normal conduction rate).

Other tests are guided by the suspected cause of the disorder and may include x-rays, scans, blood tests, or other tests and procedures.