title: Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension. Biochemical and pathologic observations in 2 cases.
abstract: Two cases of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension are reported, one associated with striato-nigral degeneration (case 1) and the other with Lewy body parkinsonism (case 2). In case 1, cerebrospinal fluid monoamine studies were carried out before and during treatment with 5-HTP and L-dopa. Low values of 5-HIAA appeared to be associated with degeneration of the spinal cord intermediolateral column. L-dopa had a beneficial effect on both parkinsonism and hypotension over a period of 6 months. New pathologic observations included changes in the sacral cord and a topographically related involvement of the substantia nigra and striatum, consistent with recent experimental neuroanatomical data.
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000588:Amines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011699:Putamen / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D007980:Levodopa; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan