Autonomic dysfunction in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.
The most important features that characterize and differentiate progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) from other parkinsonian syndromes are postural instability, supranuclear gaze palsy, pseudobulbar palsy, and cognitive disturbances. Although it has been reported that significant autonomic dysfunction is an exclusionary feature for PSP diagnosis, we could demonstrate in this study using semiquantitative clinical interview and cardiovascular testing that both PSP and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) patients can present with significant autonomic dysfunction. The parasympathetic cardiovascular system seems to be involved to a similar extent in PD and PSP patients, whereas sympathetic cardiovascular dysfunction is more frequent and severe in PD patients, but can also be found in PSP patients. Our findings have a profound implication on the diagnosis and treatment of PSP patients.
Schmidt
Claudia
C
Autonomic and Neuroendocrinological Laboratory (ANF), University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Germany.
Herting
Birgit
B
Prieur
Silke
S
Junghanns
Susann
S
Schweitzer
Katherine
K
Reichmann
Heinz
H
Berg
Daniela
D
Ziemssen
Tjalf
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013494:Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / Q000150:complications*