The role of the autonomic nervous system in trigeminal neuralgia

The role of the autonomic nervous system in trigeminal neuralgia is discussed. While the trigeminal nerve is accompanied by both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers, first and second branch phenomena are predominantly associated with sympathetic stimuli. Third branch phenomena, by contrast, primarily involved a parasympathetic component. Atropine sulfate and beta-receptor blockers are suggested as a therapeutic modality. On ancillary studies involving 30 patients with trigeminal neuralgia an abnormal glucose tolerance and/or increased cholesterol level was found to be present in 28 cases.