title: Selective loss of cholinergic sudomotor fibers causes anhidrosis in Ross syndrome.
abstract: Ross syndrome consists of segmental hyperhidrosis with widespread anhidrosis, Adie syndrome, and areflexia. The cause of this disorder is unknown. Selective degeneration of cholinergic fibers or of neural crest-derived structures has been suggested. We present clinical and skin biopsy data of 4 patients, providing evidence of reduced cholinergic sweat gland innervation in hypohidrotic skin by morphometric analysis. These findings indicate a selective degenerative process of the cholinergic sudomotor neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. sommer@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Thies
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lindenlaub
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zillikens
authors.forename: Klaus V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Toyka
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naumann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000150:complications*; D007007:Hypohidrosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011681:Pupil Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000294:innervation*; D013577:Syndrome