Open AccessDysautonomia in Fatal Familial Insomnia as an Indicator of the Potential Role of the Thalamus in Autonomie Control
Author(s) -
Benarroch Eduardo E.,
StotzPotter Elizabeth H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
brain pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.986
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1750-3639
pISSN - 1015-6305
DOI - 10.1111/j.1750-3639.1998.tb00174.x
Subject(s) - thalamus , neuroscience , parabrachial nucleus , rostral ventrolateral medulla , lateral parabrachial nucleus , central nucleus of the amygdala , amygdala , nucleus , psychology , biology , medicine , central nervous system , medulla oblongata
Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) is characterized by insomnia, dysautonomia, disruption of circadian rhythms, and motor dysfunction. The typical neuropathological findings in FFI are severe neuronal depletion in the mediodorsal (MD) and anteroventral nuclei of the thalamus. The interaction between the thalamus and central autonomie control mechanisms is poorly understood. The central autonomie areas include the anterior cingulate and insular cortices; amygdala, paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial nucleus, and lateral hypothalamic area; periaqueductal gray; parabrachial nucleus; ventrolateral medulla; and nucleus of the solitary tract. Several nuclei of the thalamus have connections with areas of the central autonomie network. The paraventricular nucleus (PVT) projects to the medial prefrontal cortex, and receives multimodal visceral and somatosensory inputs. The MD nucleus is connected with several “limbic” areas involved in autonomie control. The autonomie manifestations of FFI are exaggerated sympathetic activation with preserved parasympathetic drive to the cardiovascular system. This reflects an exaggerated sympathetic drive from supramedullary structures. Bicuculline, administered into the MD, elicits an increase in arterial pressure and heart rate. The medial portion of the MD may share with the PVT a relay function for circuits controlling autonomie responses. MD involvement in FFI suggests a role of the thalamus in central autonomie and other integrative functions.