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Cardiovascular autonomic control in Becker muscular dystrophy
G Vita1, R Di Leo, C De Gregorio
1Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatry and Anaesthesiology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. vitag@unime.it
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|June 20, 2001
Summary
Autonomic nervous system involvement is not a major concern in Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Cardiovascular autonomic tests revealed no definite autonomic damage in patients with this neuromuscular condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
Background:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) shows reduced vagal activity and enhanced sympathetic tone.
- Autonomic symptoms are not typically prominent in dystrophinopathies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cardiovascular autonomic function in patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).
- To determine if autonomic damage is a significant finding in BMD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized six cardiovascular autonomic function tests.
- Included beat-to-beat variability, heart rate responses to Valsalva maneuver and standing, blood pressure responses to standing and sustained handgrip.
- Performed power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart rate variability.
Main Results:
- While 11 of 20 patients had some abnormal test findings, none showed definite autonomic damage.
- Mean results for most tests did not differ from healthy controls.
- Beat-to-beat variability during quiet breathing was significantly higher in BMD patients, suggesting increased parasympathetic activity.
Conclusions:
- Autonomic involvement does not appear to be a major clinical finding in Becker muscular dystrophy.
- Further research may be needed to fully understand subtle autonomic changes in BMD.
- Cardiovascular autonomic function testing in BMD patients did not reveal significant widespread autonomic dysfunction.