Summary
Autonomic function mediating cardiovascular regulation was evaluated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in comparison with Shy-Drager syndrome. The subjects were 14 normal controls and 9 patients each with ALS and Shy-Drager syndrome. To evaluate the autonomic function in detail, a new series of quantitative autonomic function tests was conducted, in conjunction with conventional tests. In patients with ALS, the data indicated subclinical sympathetic hyperfunction and parasympathetic (vagal) hypofunction, probably resulting in cardiovascular dysfunction.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bannister R, Sever P, Gross M (1977) Cardiovascular reflexes and biochemical responses in progressive autonomic failure. Brain 100:327–344
Bannister R, Davies B, Holly E, Rosenthal T, Sever P (1979) Defective cardiovascular reflexes and supersensitivity to sympathomimetic drugs in autonomic failure. Brain 102:163–176
Barron SA, Mazliah J, Bental E (1987) Sympathetic cholinergic dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neurol Scand 75:62–63
Bogucki A, Salvesen R (1987) Sympathetic iris function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 234:185–186
Dalakas MC, Hatazawa J, Brook RA, Chiro GD (1987) Low cerebral glucose utilization in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ann Neurol 22:580–586
Hattori H, Hirayama K, Yasuda K, Shimazaki J (1983) Disturbance of micturition in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (in Japanese). Rinshō Shinkei (Clin Neurol) 23:224–227
Jokelainen M, Palo J (1976) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and autonomic nervous system. Lancet I:1246
Jose AD, Taylor RR (1969) Autonomic blockade by propranolol and atropine to study intrinsic myocardial function in man. J Clin Invest 48:2019–2031
Julius S, Esler M (1975) Autonomic nervous cardiovascular regulation in borderline hypertension. Am J Cardiol 36:685–696
Kennedy P, Duchen L (1985) A quantitative study of intermediolateral column cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Shy-Drager. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 48:1103–1106
McLeod JG, Tuck RR (1987) Disorder of the autonomic nervous system. II. Investigation and treatment. Ann Neurol 21:519–529
Nagatsu T, Udenfreid S (1972) Photometric assay of dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity in human blood. Clin Chem 18:980–983
Perry TL, Hansen S, Jones K (1987) Brain glutamate deficiency in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurology 37:1845–1848
Plaitakis A, Caroscio T (1987) Abnormal glutamate metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Neurol 22:575–579
Sachs C, Conradi S, Kaijser L (1985) Autonomic function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a study of cardiovascular responses. Acta Neurol Scand 71:373–378
Shy GM, Drager GA (1960) A neurological syndrome associated with orthostatic hypotension. A clinical-pathological study. Arch Neurol 2:511–527.9
Smith SA (1982) Reduced sinus arrhythmia in diabetic autonomic neuropathy: diagnostic value of an age-related normal range. Br Med J 285:1599–1691
Tanaka N, Kawahira K, Kuto A, Uchida M, Nakamura N, Fukuoka T, Nishimura T (1977) A new examination method of the autonomic nervous function in cardiovascular system (in Japanese). Jiritsu Shinkei (Autonom Nerv Syst) 14:58–66
Toyokura Y (1977) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A clinical and pathological study on the “negative features” of the disease. Jpn J Med 16:269–273
Wheeler T, Watkins PJ (1973) Cardiac denervation in diabetes. Br Med J 4:584–586
Ziegler MG, Lake CR, Wood JH, Brook BR (1980) Relationship between cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine and blood pressure in neurologic patients. Clin Exp Hypertens 2:995–1005
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chida, K., Sakamaki, S. & Takasu, T. Alteration in autonomic function and cardiovascular regulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 236, 127–130 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314326
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314326