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Journal of Neurology Jan 1996A 26-year-old man presented with signs and symptoms of marked postganglionic cholinergic autonomic dysfunction manifested by non-reacting dilated pupils, paresis of... (Review)
Review
A 26-year-old man presented with signs and symptoms of marked postganglionic cholinergic autonomic dysfunction manifested by non-reacting dilated pupils, paresis of accommodation, decreased salivation, dry skin, atony of the bladder, erectile impotence and complete gastrointestinal paresis. Standard neurophysiological tests for myelinated sensory and motor fibre function and quantitative methods to examine unmyelinated parasympathetic, sympathetic and afferent fibres were performed: parasympathetic function was measured by heart rate variation tests. Sympathetic cutaneous vasoconstrictor responses induced by deep inspiration were examined with laser Doppler flowmetry. Cutaneous nociceptive C-fibre function was assessed by measurement of axon reflex vasodilatation and flare size induced by histamine iontophoresis. The findings confirmed that the abnormalities were restricted exclusively to the cholinergic postganglionic autonomic systems. All other functions were completely preserved. Modern neurophysiological methods of testing sympathetic and afferent small fibre function might help in the diagnosis of cholinergic postganglionic dysautonomia in the early stages. The specificity of the dysfunction argues in favour of an immunological pathogenesis. However, antibody screening including acetylcholine receptor antibodies and voltage-gated calcium channel antibodies gave negative results. Whatever autoimmunological mechanism might be involved, the postulated antibodies act highly specifically on unknown structures of the cholinergic postganglionic autonomic neurons.
Topics: Adult; Afferent Pathways; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Humans; Immune System; Male; Motor Activity; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Parasympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic; Parasympathetic Nervous System; Sensation; Sympathetic Nervous System
PubMed: 8869382
DOI: 10.1007/BF00878526 -
Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic &... Nov 2009Sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons innervate a wide range of target tissues. The subpopulation of neurons innervating each target tissue can express... (Review)
Review
Sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons innervate a wide range of target tissues. The subpopulation of neurons innervating each target tissue can express unique combinations of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, ion channels and receptors, which together comprise the chemical phenotype of the neurons. The target-specific chemical phenotype shown by autonomic postganglionic neurons arises during development. In this review, we examine the different mechanisms that generate such a diversity of neuronal phenotypes from the pool of apparently homogenous neural crest progenitor cells that form the sympathetic ganglia. There is evidence that the final chemical phenotype of autonomic postganglionic neurons is generated by both signals at the level of the cell body that trigger cell-autonomous programs, as well as signals from the target tissues they innervate.
Topics: Animals; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Autonomic Nervous System; Ganglia, Sympathetic; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Ion Channels; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neural Crest; Neurogenesis; Neurons; Neuropeptides; Neurotransmitter Agents; Organ Specificity; Phenotype; Signal Transduction; Species Specificity; Transcription Factors; Vertebrates
PubMed: 19819195
DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2009.08.010 -
Zhonghua Shen Jing Jing Shen Ke Za Zhi... Dec 199139 years old woman with onset of faint, numbness of the extremities was reported. Special test of autonomic functions, endocrinology, biochemistry and nerve biopsy were...
39 years old woman with onset of faint, numbness of the extremities was reported. Special test of autonomic functions, endocrinology, biochemistry and nerve biopsy were carried out. The diagnosis of acute pandysautonomia was made. Clinically it is characterized by dilated pupils, non-reactive pupils, orthostatic hypotension, positive noradrenaline infusion test and negative sweating test with atropine. These changes suggested the disturbance of generalized sympathetic post-ganglionic nerve. In other hand defective salivation and lacrimation, lower values of the ratio between the R-R interval, constipation and rapid constriction of pupils with pilocarpine were considered as evidence of failure of parasympathetic post-ganglionic nerve.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Female; Humans
PubMed: 1800069
DOI: No ID Found -
Neurobiology of Disease Jun 2021Pathological aggregates of alpha-synuclein in peripheral dermal nerve fibers can be detected in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy....
Pathological aggregates of alpha-synuclein in peripheral dermal nerve fibers can be detected in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy. This study combines skin biopsy staining for p-alpha-synuclein depositions and radionuclide imaging of the heart with [I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine to explore peripheral denervation in both diseases. To this purpose, 42 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy were enrolled. All patients underwent a standardized clinical work-up including neurological evaluation, neurography, and blood samples. Skin biopsies were obtained from the distal and proximal leg, back, and neck for immunofluorescence double labeling with anti-p-alpha-synuclein and anti-PGP9.5. All patients underwent myocardial [I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. Dermal p-alpha-synuclein was observed in 47.6% of Parkinson's disease patients and was mainly found in autonomic structures. 81.0% of multiple system atrophy patients had deposits with most of cases in somatosensory fibers. The [I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine heart-to-mediastinum ratio was lower in Parkinson's disease than in multiple system atrophy patients (1.94 ± 0.63 vs. 2.91 ± 0.96; p < 0.0001). Irrespective of the diagnosis, uptake was lower in patients with than without p-alpha-synuclein in autonomic structures (1.42 ± 0.51 vs. 2.74 ± 0.83; p < 0.0001). Rare cases of Parkinson's disease with p-alpha-synuclein in somatosensory fibers and multiple system atrophy patients with deposits in autonomic structures or both fiber types presented with clinically overlapping features. In conclusion, this study suggests that alpha-synuclein contributes to peripheral neurodegeneration and mediates the impairment of cardiac sympathetic neurons in patients with synucleinopathies. Furthermore, it indicates that Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy share pathophysiologic mechanisms of peripheral nervous system dysfunction with a clinical overlap.
Topics: 3-Iodobenzylguanidine; Adult; Aged; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Female; Heart; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple System Atrophy; Nerve Fibers; Neural Conduction; Parkinson Disease; Peripheral Nervous System; Phosphorylation; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Skin; alpha-Synuclein
PubMed: 33722614
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105332 -
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology... Dec 20061. The idea is introduced that cardiac rate, contractility or atrioventricular (A-V) conduction spread may be controlled independently by the brain. Limited data from... (Review)
Review
1. The idea is introduced that cardiac rate, contractility or atrioventricular (A-V) conduction spread may be controlled independently by the brain. Limited data from reflex studies are cited to support this view. 2. Evidence is presented that individual autonomic post- and preganglionic neurons have quite specific actions on the heart. Premotor and other central neurons can have preferential actions on heart rate, contractility or A-V conduction. 3. The functional implications of selective cardiac control are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic; Brain; Brain Stem; Heart; Humans; Neural Pathways; Neurons
PubMed: 17184511
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2006.04520.x -
Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic &... Dec 2006
Review
Topics: Afferent Pathways; Animals; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Autonomic Nervous System; Cardiovascular System; Enteric Nervous System; Ganglia, Autonomic; Humans; Skin; Viscera
PubMed: 16798102
DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2006.05.003 -
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology... Dec 20061. Mental disorders associated with chronic stressors are established risk factors for cardiac morbidity and mortality, but there is no satisfactory explanation of the... (Review)
Review
1. Mental disorders associated with chronic stressors are established risk factors for cardiac morbidity and mortality, but there is no satisfactory explanation of the mechanistic link between mental and cardiac disorders. 2. The present article presents the hypothesis suggesting that abnormal functioning of serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptors in the lower brain stem may represent this missing link. Currently available data suggest that there may be a global downregulation of 5-HT(1A) receptors in depressive and panic patients. 3. Recent animal results indicate that 5-HT(1A) receptors, located in the medullary raphe, possibly on the raphe-spinal presympathetic cardiomotor neurons, reduce stress-elicited activation of these neurons. 4. Decreased density/function of 5-H(1A) receptors in the raphe area (possibly occurring during chronic stress/depression) may lead to increased sympathetic outflow to the heart and, consequently, to the increase in noradrenalin release from the cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals.
Topics: Animals; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic; Brain; Brain Stem; Heart; Humans; Neural Pathways; Neurons
PubMed: 17184512
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2006.04521.x -
The Journal of Comparative Neurology Apr 1981Previously reported preganglionic-postganglionic ratios for the sympathetic system are a major part of the evidence for the widely accepted idea that the sympathetic...
Previously reported preganglionic-postganglionic ratios for the sympathetic system are a major part of the evidence for the widely accepted idea that the sympathetic innervation of the viscera is diffuse. Unfortunately, the previous reports did not assess the non-preganglionic fibers in the nerves examined, and the limitations of light microscopy precluded accurate unmyelinated fiber counts. Thus, a recalculation of these ratios is necessary. The present study recalculates these ratios for the cervical sympathetic system of the rat. All fiber counts are done with the electron microscope which has the resolution necessary for accurately determining axon numbers. Selective surgical procedures establish that 84% of the axons in the cervical sympathetic trunk are preganglionic, 11% are postganglionic, and 5% are sensory. Thus, the numbers of preganglionic fibers can now be accurately assessed and compared to the number of postganglionic neurons in the superior cervical ganglion. When this is done, a preganglionic/postganglionic ratio of approximately 1:4 is obtained. This ratio differs considerably from those previously published.
Topics: Animals; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic; Axons; Female; Ganglia, Spinal; Ganglia, Sympathetic; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Rats; Sympathetic Nervous System
PubMed: 7276232
DOI: 10.1002/cne.901970204 -
Australian and New Zealand Journal of... Dec 1995Activation of receptors on postganglionic sympathetic nerve endings can alter the amount of noradrenaline release during a train of nerve impulses. These changes may be... (Review)
Review
Activation of receptors on postganglionic sympathetic nerve endings can alter the amount of noradrenaline release during a train of nerve impulses. These changes may be produced by the enzyme-linked synthesis of second messenger molecules within the nerve terminal. Cyclic AMP analogues enhance noradrenaline release and two hormones adrenaline and ACTH appear to enhance noradrenaline release through activation of adenylate cyclase. Activation of the phospholipase C/protein kinase C pathway also elevates stimulation-induced noradrenaline release and angiotensin enhancement of noradrenaline release appears to act through this pathway. On the other hand, receptors which inhibit noradrenaline release (alpha 2-adrenoceptors, muscarinic M2 receptors and neuropeptide Y receptors) do not act through either of these signal transduction pathways. Since these inhibitory systems are neurotransmitter activated and relay information on a nerve pulse to nerve pulse time scale back to the nerve ending a fast activation and deactivation rate of modulation is required. This may be better served by direct modulation of ion channels without a slow intervening enzyme step. Activation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters produces relatively large increases (two-threefold) in stimulation-induced noradrenaline release and this enzyme may also have a physiological role. Protein kinase C may be an appropriate target for drugs to manipulate transmitter release and development of selective activators and inhibitors of the many protein kinase C isoenzymes may prove clinically useful in diseases with inappropriate transmitter release profiles.
Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Adrenergic Fibers; Animals; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; GTP-Binding Proteins; Humans; Neurotransmitter Agents; Norepinephrine; Protein Kinase C; Second Messenger Systems; Signal Transduction; Synaptic Transmission
PubMed: 8770358
DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1995.tb02886.x -
Respiration Physiology Jun 1992The aim of the study was to test the reflex and resting properties of postganglionic sympathetic neurons with axons located in the right phrenic nerve. The experiments...
The aim of the study was to test the reflex and resting properties of postganglionic sympathetic neurons with axons located in the right phrenic nerve. The experiments have been performed on chloralose-anesthetized cats with both vago-aortic nerves cut. The somata or the postganglionic sympathetic neurons were located in the stellate ganglion. Axons of these neurons passed through the upper and lower phrenic nerve roots and through the phrenic nerve itself. The presence of cardiac and respiratory rhythmicities was detected in the activity of the phrenic postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Hyperventilation, which abolished burst discharges of the phrenic nerve, decreased the sympathetic activity by 14%. Systemic hypoxia (ventilating the animals for 2 min with 8% O2 in N2) increased the sympathetic activity threefold. The results of our experiments suggest that axons of the sympathetic neurons located in the right phrenic nerve could possibly be diaphragmatic muscle vasoconstrictors.
Topics: Animals; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Axons; Cats; Efferent Pathways; Electric Stimulation; Heart Rate; Hypoxia; Phrenic Nerve; Reflex; Respiration; Rest; Sympathetic Nervous System
PubMed: 1615229
DOI: 10.1016/0034-5687(92)90006-i