Autonomic dysregulation in multiple sclerosis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Alexandra Pintér - , Semmelweis University, Dresden International University (DIU) (Author)
  • Domonkos Cseh - , Semmelweis University (Author)
  • Adrienn Sárközi - , Semmelweis University (Author)
  • Ben M. Illigens - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Timo Siepmann - , Department of Neurology, Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive central neurological disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination. In patients with MS, dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system may present with various clinical symptoms including sweating abnormalities, urinary dysfunction, orthostatic dysregulation, gastrointestinal symptoms, and sexual dysfunction. These autonomic disturbances reduce the quality of life of affected patients and constitute a clinical challenge to the physician due to variability of clinical presentation and inconsistent data on diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis and initiation of individualized interdisciplinary and multimodal strategies is beneficial in the management of autonomic dysfunction in MS. This review summarizes the current literatureon the most prevalent aspects of autonomic dysfunction in MS and provides reference to underlying pathophysiological mechanisms as well as means of diagnosis and treatment.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16920-16952
Number of pages33
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume16
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 24 Jul 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84937917053
PubMed 26213927

Keywords

Keywords

  • Autonomic, Bladder, Dysfunction, Gastrointestinal, Multiple sclerosis, Orthostatic dysregulation