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Autonomic function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a study of cardiovascular responses
Author(s) -
Sachs Charlotte,
Conradi Sebastian,
Kaijser Lennart
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1985.tb03215.x
Subject(s) - medicine , heart rate , isometric exercise , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , cardiology , blood pressure , reflex , baroreceptor , valsalva maneuver , orthostatic vital signs , forearm , orthostatic intolerance , surgery , disease
– Autonomically mediated cardiovascular responses were evaluated in 15 ALS patients and compared with 15 healthy subjects. The respiratory sinus arrhythmia, the heart rate response to a Valsalva manoeuvre, to isometric handgrip and to a dive reflex test was normal, indicating a normal function of vagal nerves. The heart rate and blood pressure responses during an orthostatic test were normal, indicating a normal function of sympathetic nerves. The increase in blood pressure and blood flow in the contralateral forearm which occurs on handgrip in healthy subjects was reduced in the ALS patients. The cause of this is unclear, but could be related to decreased function of “ergoreceptors” or altered vascular reactivity in atrophic muscle.