Autonomic dysfunction in different subtypes of multiple system atrophy

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Claudia Schmidt - , TUD Dresden University of Technology, Department of Neurology (Author)
  • Birgit Herting - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Silke Prieur - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Susann Junghanns - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Katherine Schweitzer - , University of Tübingen (Author)
  • Christoph Globas - , University of Tübingen (Author)
  • Ludger Schöls - , University of Tübingen (Author)
  • Heinz Reichmann - , Department of Neurology (Author)
  • Daniela Berg - , University of Tübingen (Author)
  • Tjalf Ziemssen - , Department of Neurology (Author)

Abstract

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) can clinically be divided into the cerebellar (MSA-C) and the parkinsonian (MSA-P) variant. However, till now, it is unknown whether autonomic dysfunction in these two entities differs regarding severity and profile. We compared the pattern of autonomic dysfunction in 12 patients with MSA-C and 26 with MSA-P in comparison with 27 age- and sex-matched healthy controls using a standard battery of autonomic function tests and a structured anamnesis of the autonomic nervous system. MSA-P patients complained significantly more often about the symptoms of autonomic dysfunctions than MSA-C patients, especially regarding vasomotor, secretomotor, and gastrointestinal subsystems. However, regarding cardiovascular, sudomotor pupil, urogenital, and sleep subsystems, there were no significant quantitative or qualitative differences as analyzed by autonomic anamnesis and testing. Our results suggest that there are only minor differences in the pattern of autonomic dysfunction between the two clinical MSA phenotypes.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1766-1772
Number of pages7
JournalMovement disorders
Volume23
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2008
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 18661564

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Autonomic dysfunction, Autonomic nervous system, MSA subtypes, Multiple system atrophy