title: Anal sphincter dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Striated anal sphincter function was studied electrophysiologically and radiologically in six patients with Parkinson's disease and chronic constipation. In five cases, there was paradoxic anal sphincter muscle contraction during simulated defecation straining resembling anismus-type pelvic outlet obstruction. Radiologic studies showed functional improvement of the defecatory mechanism following the administration of the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine in four patients. Dysfunction of the striated anal sphincter musculature may be a significant cause of constipation in some parkinsonian patients, occurring as part of the generalized extrapyramidal motor disorder.
authors: Department of Physiology, St Mark's Hospital, London, England.
authors: S E
authors: SE
authors: Mathers
authors: P A
authors: PA
authors: Kempster
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Law
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Frankel
authors: C I
authors: CI
authors: Bartram
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Lees
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Stern
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Swash
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*