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Autonomic and thermal sensory symptoms and dysfunction after stroke
H Naver1, C Blomstrand, S Ekholm
1Department of Neurology, Sahlgren Hospital, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Stroke
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Stroke can cause unilateral autonomic dysfunction, leading to symptoms like coldness. This study investigated the incidence and mechanisms, finding that central nervous system lesions disrupt skin sympathetic function and vasomotor reflexes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Unilateral autonomic disturbances post-stroke, including coldness and altered sweating, are recognized but poorly understood.
- These symptoms suggest disruptions in the body's sympathetic nervous system regulation following a stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of unilateral autonomic dysfunction after stroke.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these symptoms, focusing on skin sympathetic function.
Main Methods:
- Measured temperature perception thresholds, skin temperature, evaporation rates, and skin blood flow bilaterally in 37 stroke patients.
- Included a control group of 15 patients with transient ischemic attacks for comparison.
Main Results:
- 43% of stroke patients reported coldness on the side opposite the brain lesion (contralesional).
- Lower basal skin blood flow and temperature were observed on the contralesional side.
- Abnormalities in vasomotor reflexes were found in 34% of patients, correlating with coldness and sensory deficits.
Conclusions:
- Focal central nervous system lesions from stroke can cause measurable unilateral disturbances in skin sympathetic function.
- Vasomotor asymmetries likely result from uncrossed descending vasomotor pathway lesions.
- Subjective coldness sensations may stem from altered central processing of sensory information.