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Sympathetic vasoconstrictor responses in multiple sclerosis with thermo-regulatory dysfunction
1Department of Neurology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Summary
Multiple sclerosis patients with severe sweating issues still exhibit normal sympathetic vasoconstrictor reflexes in muscles and skin. This suggests independent control of sweating and blood vessel functions in multiple sclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) often involves thermoregulatory dysfunction.
- Sympathetic nervous system control of vasoconstriction is crucial for temperature regulation.
- Previous research indicates altered sympathetic responses in various neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess vasomotor function in multiple sclerosis patients with significant thermoregulatory deficits.
- To distinguish between central and local sympathetic vasomotor reflexes in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue.
- To investigate potential differences in sympathetic responses compared to other neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the 133-Xenon washout technique.
- Studied six patients diagnosed with definite multiple sclerosis.
- Evaluated both centrally and locally mediated sympathetic vasoconstrictor responses.
Main Results:
- Preserved centrally and locally mediated sympathetic vasomotor reflexes were observed.
- These reflexes were intact in both skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue.
- No significant differences in sympathetic vasoconstrictor responses were found compared to other neurological disorders.
Conclusions:
- Sudomotor (sweating) and vasomotor (blood vessel) functions appear to be independently controlled in multiple sclerosis.
- The findings challenge the notion of universally altered sympathetic vasoconstrictor responses across neurological conditions.
- Multiple sclerosis patients with thermoregulatory dysfunction maintain normal vasomotor control.