title: The autonomic nervous system in alcoholic and diabetic neuropathy.
abstract: Tests of autonomic function were performed on 10 controls, 16 subjects with diabetic neuropathy and 12 subjects with alcoholic neuropathy. Abnormal sweating occurred in 10/10 alcoholics (100%) and 10/10 diabetics (100%) who were examined. An abnormal Valsalva ratio was present in 7/11 (64%) of diabetics and only 2/9 (22%) of alcoholics. Denervation hypersensitivity to phenylephrine occurred in 2/8 (25%) of diabetics and was absent in alcoholics. A quantitative assessment of baroreceptor function was made. In diabetics there was a reduced resting heart period, heart period range and mean gain, whilst these parameters were essentially normal in alcoholics.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010656:Phenylephrine; D013546:Sweating; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver
chemical_list: D010656:Phenylephrine