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Pharmacological studies
Author(s) -
BROUWER G. J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1987.tb01425.x
Subject(s) - dysautonomia , medicine , autonomic nervous system , neuroscience , sympathetic nervous system , autonomic function , stimulation , disease , psychology , heart rate variability , heart rate , blood pressure
SUMMARY Interpretation of the results requires some caution as a result of the limited number of trials carried out; in particular, the lack of suitable control data has to date, remained a source of concern. Nevertheless some trends are apparent. The results demonstrate that both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems appear to be affected. Direct stimulation of sympathetic and parasympathetic post‐synaptic receptors gives measureable results suggesting that the integrity, at least in part, of these receptors is maintained. Since the effect of indirect agents was negative in four cats and reduced in a fifth the functioning of both sympathetic and parasympathetic post‐ganglionic fibres appears to be defective. This provides additional evidence, albeit circumstantial, that the dysautonomia arises from dysfunction at the ganglionic level or above. Studies aimed at determining ganglionic function are fraught with difficulty in that both sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia function in similar ways and therefore, pharmacological trials which will elicit differences in dysfunction between the two autonomic divisions are not easy to devise. This study has shown qualitative differences between actions of several drugs which have served to confirm present knowledge and understanding of Feline Dysautonomia. It may ultimately be possible to design these tests to give quantitative results which may be used, not only to confirm diagnosis but also to aid with prognosis as to the course of the disease. It may also be possible to develop some of these tests so that they may be performed in the conscious animal, particularly with the view to monitoring progress of the disease without the need to use invasive techniques.