This paper reports a familial amyloid polyneuropathy （FAP） family in China. This family being investigated had 69 members of five generations. From the third generation

there have been 16 patients. The age of onset was about 3 to 5 decades. The initial symptoms were autonomic nerve symptoms

such as impotence

dyspepsia and diarrhoea

associated with the sensory loss of lower extremities. As the disease progressed

the upper extremities and motor ability were also involved. The duration of disease course was about 8-10 years

most patients died of infection and cachexia. Sural biopsy in 3 patients had showed positive Congo red staining. From the clinical view

this FAP family is similar to FAP I found in Japan. The true classification

however

should be confirmed by further genetic analysis.