Sympathetic skin response (SSR) is abnormal in multiple sclerosis

As the function of the autonomic nervous system is often compromised in multiple sclerosis (MS), different standardized tests are used to detect disseminated abnormalities in cardiovascular autonomic functions. sympathetic skin response (SSR), a slow wave generated in deep layers of the skin, is induced by reflex activation of sudomotor sympathetic efferent fibers. SSR was studied in 70 patients classified into different categories according to the diagnostic criteria for MS. We also obtained pattern reversal visually evoked potentials and brainstem auditory evoked potentials as well as somatosensory evoked potentials (by median and posterior tibial nerve stimulation). SSR was abnormal in 66 patients (94.2%), including abnormal foot latency with normal hand latency in 30 (42.8%), delayed foot and hand latencies in 30 (42.8%), and no response in 6 (8.6%). The percentages of SSR abnormalities were similar in the different patient categories. Pathological SSR were more common than abnormal evoked potentials in suspected and probable MS. SSR appears to be a simple and effective means of assessing sympathetic sudomotor outflow disturbances in MS, providing a valuable addition to current electrophysiological procedures for the detection of MS lesions.