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Published on: March 21, 2013
Normal cardiovascular reflex testing in patients with parkin disease
Francesca Del Sorbo1, Antonio E Elia, Gabriella De Joanna
1Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy.
Summary
Cardiovascular autonomic function is generally preserved in parkin disease patients, despite frequent autonomic symptoms. Urinary dysfunction is more common in these patients and warrants further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
Background:
- Parkin disease is a common genetic form of Parkinson's disease.
- Autonomic dysfunction is a known non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease.
- The specific impact of parkin gene mutations on cardiovascular autonomic function requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cardiovascular autonomic function in patients with parkin disease.
- To compare autonomic symptom reporting and objective testing between parkin patients and healthy controls.
- To identify potential links between parkin mutations and specific autonomic abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Genetically confirmed parkin disease patients (n=10) and healthy controls (n=11) were recruited.
- Autonomic symptom assessment via structured interviews.
- Cardiovascular autonomic reflex function evaluated using a standard battery of eight sympathetic and parasympathetic tests.
- Statistical analysis comparing patient and control groups.
Main Results:
- Seven out of ten parkin patients reported autonomic symptoms, most frequently bladder dysfunction, orthostatic dizziness, and dry mouth.
- No significant differences in overall sympathetic or parasympathetic cardiovascular reflex function between parkin patients and controls.
- A minor difference was observed in diastolic blood pressure response to isometric hand grip (P = 0.007).
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular dysautonomia is not a prominent feature of the parkin disease phenotype.
- Urinary complaints are significantly more frequent in parkin patients compared to controls.
- Urinary autonomic dysfunction merits further investigation in parkin disease.
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