title: Profile of autonomic dysfunctions in patients with primary brain tumor and possible autoimmunity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cerebral lesion due to different neurological conditions could be complicated by autonomic dysfunction, reported in the literature as a sympathetic hyperactivity. The mechanisms of dysautonomia still remains partial. The aim of the study was to assess the profile of autonomic dysfunction in patient with primary brain tumors, with attempt to estimate the additional factors in pathogenesis of dysautonomia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neurological examinations, the Low's autonomic disorder questionnaire, electrophysiological autonomic tests (Heart Rate Variability test at rest and during deep breathing, spectral analysis of R-R intervals, sympathetic skin response test), studies of peripheral nerves, blood sampling collection for antibodies were done in 33 patients with recognized primary brain tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The averaged Low's Questionnaire score in the patients group was significantly higher than in the controls, systolic blood pressure was increased, heart rate tended to be higher without significance, but heart rate variability was severe low, LF/HF ratio also tended to be higher in the patients group. In SSR test the amplitude of responses from hand and foot was significantly lower without changes in their latencies. We found changes in the electrophysiological tests of peripheral nerves, and positive anti-neural antibodies in 5 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study indicated to the sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity in patients with primary brain tumors. Local brain lesion with high intracranial pressure, additional peripheral nerve damage probably in the course of autoimmunity, and direct influence of autoimmunity to the central part of autonomic nervous system are possible in the pathogenesis of dysautonomia.
authors: Department of Neurology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: magda.koszewicz@onet.pl.
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Koszewicz
authors: Department of Neurochemistry and Neuropathology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland; Neuroimmunological Unit, Miroslaw Mossakowski Medical Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: swami622@gmail.com.
authors: Slawomir
authors: S
authors: Michalak
authors: Department of Neurology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: mbilinsk@mp.pl.
authors: Malgorzata
authors: M
authors: Bilinska
authors: Department of Neurology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: s.budrewicz@wp.pl.
authors: Slawomir
authors: S
authors: Budrewicz
authors: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecologic Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Polna 33, 60-535 Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: mikolaj.zaborowski@gmail.com.
authors: Mikolaj
authors: M
authors: Zaborowski
authors: Department of Neurology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: k.slot@gazeta.pl.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Slotwinski
authors: Department of Neurology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: ryszard.podemski@umed.wroc.pl.
authors: Ryszard
authors: R
authors: Podemski
authors: Department of Neurology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: mejma@interia.pl.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Ejma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Autoimmunity; Autonomic dysfunction; Electrophysiology; Neuropathy; Primary brain tumor