[Nocturia in Parkinson's disease]

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of nocturia and its relationship with clinical characteristics of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dopaminergic therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and thirteen patients with PD of I-III Hoehn and Yahr stage (H&Y) were examined using the following scales: IPSS, including nocturia domain, UPDRS, Sch&En, PDQ-39, MMSE, FAB, BDI, STAI-S and STAI-T, PFS-16, NMSQuest, GDSS, GSRS, and orthotest.

RESULTS

Nocturia was detected in 93 patients. It depended on the age of the patients (rS=0.345; p<0.001) and was more spread among women (p=0.002). We obtained positive correlations of nocturia (p<0.05) with: PDQ-39 (rS=0.296), H&Y (rS=0.223), UPDRS (rS=0.265) and its items (speech, walking disorders, standing up from chair, posture and postural stability), NMSQ (rS=0.318), FAB (rS= -0.359), BDI, STAI-S and STAI-T, PFS-16, gastrointestinal parameters and blood pressure in the supine position. No significant effect of dopaminergic therapy on the severity of nocturia was found. According to regression analysis (stepwise method), predictors of nocturia are depression, higher lying blood pressure, constipation and postural instability (R2=0.474).

CONCLUSIONS

Nocturia is the most common urological symptom in patients with PD and it significantly reduces the quality of life starting from the early stages of the disease. Nocturia increases as PD progresses, it is independent of dopaminergic medications, and it is directly associated with a number of parkinsonian symptoms (postural, frontal cognitive, affective and autonomic), which are partly dopamine-resistant. This indicates the common pathogenesis of nocturia and other symptoms of PD and the significant influence of polytransmitter imbalance.

[Lower gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the lower gastrointestinal tract dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to reveal its relationships with motor and non-motor symptoms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and eighteen patients with PD of I-III Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stages were studied using UPDRSI-IV, Sch&En, PDQ-39, MMSE, BDI, STAI-S and STAI-T, PFS-16, NMSQ, GSRS, BSFS, AUA. Body mass index and saliva amount and lacrimation (Schirmer's test) were assessed.

RESULTS

Constipation from mild to moderate intensity was present in 71.2% of the patients; predominantly mild diarrhea occurred in 27.9%; alternations of diarrhea with the difficulty in intestine emptying were observed in 25.4%. We found significant correlations of constipation with the following parameters: Sch&En scales (rS=-0.291) and PDQ-39 (rS=0.478), patient's age (rS=0.275), H&Y stage (rS=0.2604), UPDRS (rS=0.254), axial motor symptoms of parkinsonism, and a number of affective and autonomic disorders, most of which were partly dopamine-resistant. Diarrhea did not affect the quality of patient's life, or depend on age, PD stage, main digital and non-motor symptoms, but directly correlated with the severity of constipation (rS=0.263) and other gastrointestinal disorders. There were no effects of dopaminergic therapy, including levodopa, dopamine-receptor-agonists, and amantadine, on the lower gastrointestinal tract dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Dysfunction of the lower gastrointestinal tract (predominantly from mild to moderate intensity) was detected in most PD patients of I-III stages. Our data indicate a complex pathogenesis of the PD impaired bowel emptying, involving degeneration of non-dopaminergic structures, and the predominant influence of concomitant diseases and inadequate laxative therapy on the formation of diarrhea syndrome in PD.

Autonomic disorders and myocardial 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy in Huntington's disease

BACKGROUND

Huntington's disease (HD) patients often present with abnormal modulation of blood pressure and heart rate. We investigated whether cardiac autonomic innervation assessed by 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging is impaired in HD patients, in comparison with controls (Ctrl).

METHODS

Fifteen patients (6 F and 9 M) were assessed by the motor section of the Unified HD Rating Scale, the Total Function Capacity, and the scale for outcomes in Parkinson's disease-autonomic (SCOPA-AUT) questionnaire. All patients and 10 Ctrl (5 F and 5 M) underwent 123I-MIBG imaging. From planar images, the early and late heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratios and myocardial washout rates (WR) were calculated.

RESULTS

We did not find significant differences in early and late H/M ratios and WR between the two groups. At individual level, three patients showed reduced early and/or late H/M ratios. The most common autonomic complaints were gastrointestinal and genitourinary disorders. SCOPA-AUT questionnaire score results positively correlated with the disease duration and WR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that myocardial postganglionic sympathetic innervation is essentially preserved or only minimally involved in HD. These findings suggest that the cardiovascular dysfunction might be mainly due to the impairment of brain areas associated with the regulation and modulation of the heart function.

Interplay between baroreflex sensitivity, obesity and related cardiometabolic risk factors (Review)

The baroreflex represents a rapid negative feedback system implicated in blood pressure regulation, which aims to prevent blood pressure variations by regulating peripheral vascular tone and cardiac output. The aim of the present review was to highlight the association between baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and obesity, including factors associated with obesity, such as metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. For the present review, a literature search was conducted using the PubMed database until August 21, 2021. The searched terms included ‘baroreflex’, and other terms such as ‘sensitivity’, ‘obesity’, ‘metabolic syndrome’, ‘hypertension’, ‘diabetes’, ‘gender’, ‘aging’, ‘children’, ‘adolescents’, ‘physical activity’, ‘bariatric surgery’, ‘autonomous nervous system’ and ‘cardiometabolic risk factors’. Obesity and its related metabolic disorders can influence baroreflex functionality and decrease BRS, mostly by potentiating sympathetic nervous system activity. Obesity induces inflammation, which can increase sympathetic system activity and lead to a higher incidence of cardiovascular events. Obesity also represents an important risk factor for hypertension through numerous mechanisms; in this setting, dysfunctional baroreceptors are not able to protect against constantly elevated blood pressure. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress result in deterioration of BRS, whereas aging is also generally related to reduced cardiovagal BRS. Differences in BRS have also been observed between men and women, and overall cardiovagal BRS in healthy women is less intense compared with that in men. BRS appears lower in children with obesity compared with that in children of a healthy weight. Notably, physical exercise can increase BRS in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects, and BRS can also be significantly improved following bariatric surgery and weight loss. In conclusion, obesity and its related metabolic disorders may influence baroreflex functionality and decrease BRS, and baroreceptors cannot protect against the constantly elevated blood pressure in obesity. However, following bariatric surgery and weight loss, BRS can be significantly improved. The present review summarizes the role of obesity and related metabolic risk factors in BRS, providing details on possible mechanisms and shedding light on their interplay leading to autonomic neuropathy.

[Physiotherapy treatment of vegetative disorders in patients with voice disorders]

OBJECTIVE

To increase the effectiveness of treatment of hypotonic functional dysphonia using physiotherapy in patients with neurovegetative disorders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 42 patients, aged from 25 to 64 years, with disturbed vocal function, which included anamnestic analysis, an objective study of ENT organs by conventional methods, a video stroboscopy of the larynx, a cytological study of smears from the laryngeal mucosa, and the determination of the functional state of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

RESULTS

The clinical-physiological study of VNS shows neurovegetative dysfunction (inadequate autonomic support of activity) in 10 patients. In these patients, the traditional conservative treatment was ineffective. Acupuncture used for treatment of neurovegetative disorders in these patients significantly improves the results of traditional treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate an increase in the effectiveness of physiotherapy treatment (reflexotherapy using magnetic-infrared laser radiation and acupuncture) of ANS condition. These measures can be carried out in conjunction with traditional methods of treatment or in the case of their low efficiency.

Clinical diagnosis and management of small fiber neuropathy: an update on best practice

INTRODUCTION

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a heterogeneous group of disorders affecting thin myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C fibers. Common symptoms include neuropathic pain and autonomic disturbances, and the typical clinical presentation is that of a length-dependent polyneuropathy, although other distributions could be present.

AREA COVERED

This review focuses on several aspects of SFN including etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria and tests, management, and future perspectives. Diagnostic challenges are discussed, encompassing the role of accurate and standardized assessment of symptoms and signs and providing clues for the clinical practice. The authors discuss the evidence in support of skin biopsy and quantitative sensory testing as diagnostic tests and present an overview of other diagnostic techniques to assess sensory and autonomic fibers dysfunction. The authors also suggest a systematic approach to the etiology including a set of laboratory tests and genetic examinations of sodium channelopathies and other rare conditions that might drive the therapeutic approach based on underlying cause or symptoms treatment.

EXPERT OPINION

SFN provides a useful model for neuropathic pain whose known mechanisms and cause could pave the way toward personalized treatments.

Abnormalities of heart rate turbulence and heart rate variability as indicators of increased cardiovascular risk in patients with systemic sclerosis

Introduction

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease manifested by progressive fibrosis of many internal organs including the cardiovascular system and development of autonomic disorders with sympathetic predominance. These abnormalities can increase cardiovascular mortality.

Aim

To evaluate heart rate turbulence (HRT) and variability (HRV) parameters (indicator of autonomic imbalance) obtained from 24-hour ECG Holter monitoring, as predictors of the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with scleroderma.

Material and methods

Thirty-twoscleroderma patients and 30 healthy people were included. After clinical examination, ECG, routine laboratory tests and echocardiography, participants performed 24-hour Holter-ECG at home. For HRT assessment, turbulence onset (To) and turbulence slope (Ts) parameters were used. Both time and frequency domain analysis of HRV was used. The HRV circadian rhythm was also evaluated.

Results

Time domain: SDNN, SDNN-ix, SDANN and frequency domain: LF, VLF, ULF, NHF, NLF, parameters were lower, while p50NN was higher in SSc as compared to the control group. There was also a loss of the circadian rhythm for r-MSSD and p50NN present in the control group. Abnormal HRT parameters To and/or Ts occurred in the SSc group only. The median value of To = –1.24% and Ts = 11.13 ms/RR did not differ significantly as compared to the control group.

Conclusions

The study confirmed the presence of HRV disturbances, including HRV circadian rhythm, as it may seem at an early stage of SSc. The HRT disorders may be characterized by the increasing changes with advancing disease. This indicates the presence of autonomic imbalance and an increased cardiovascular risk.

Sympathetic skin response and heart rate variability in predicting autonomic disorders in patients with Parkinson disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sympathetic skin response (SSR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in determining autonomic nervous system (ANS) involvement in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Forty-eight idiopathic PD patients and 30 healthy controls participated in this study. SSR, HRV, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III, the Scales for outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT), Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale were evaluated. Absent lower limb SSR was determined unilaterally in 2, bilaterally in 1 of 3 advanced PD patients; there was significant difference between PD and control groups in terms of the SSR (P < 0.01), significant prolonged SSR latencies and decreased SSR amplitudes from bilateral hands and feet. Significant difference was noted in HRV between PD and control groups except for root mean square of successive differences (rMSSD) and high-frequency (HF) power (P < 0.05). There was a significant different correlation between the parameters of SSR and the SCOPA-AUT, and between the parameters (except HF power) of HRV and the SCOPA-AUT. Some parameters of SSR were relevantly associated with HRV. The right hand SSR amplitude correlated positively with the (SD) of all R-R interval, total spectral power, very low frequency. The right foot amplitude correlated positively with total spectral power. Both SSR and HRV parameters are sensitive in determining ANS dysfunction not only in late but also in the early stage of PD, which can be used for early detection of autonomic dysfunction in patients with PD and have the potential to serve as electrophysiological markers of dysautonomia of PD.

Increased frequency of rhabdomyolysis in familial dysautonomia

INTRODUCTION

Familial dysautonomia (FD; OMIM # 223900) is an autosomal recessive disease with features of impaired pain and temperature perception and lack of functional muscle spindles. After 3 FD patients presented with rhabdomyolysis in a short time span, we aimed to determine the frequency of rhabdomyolysis is this population.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective chart review of 665 FD patients.

RESULTS

Eight patients had at least 1 episode of rhabdomyolysis. Two patients had 2 episodes. The average incidence of rhabdomyolysis in FD was 7.5 per 10,000 person-years. By comparison, the average incidence with statins has been reported to be 0.44 per 10,000 person-years. Mean maximum creatine kinase (CK) level was 32,714 ± 64,749 U/L. Three patients had hip magnetic resonance imaging showing gluteal hyperintensities.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with FD have an increased incidence of rhabdomyolysis. We hypothesize that this may result from a combination of absent functional muscle spindles and muscle mitochondrial abnormalities.

Structural brain abnormalities in postural tachycardia syndrome: A VBM-DARTEL study

Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), a form of dysautonomia, is characterized by orthostatic intolerance, and is frequently accompanied by a range of symptoms including palpitations, lightheadedness, clouding of thought, blurred vision, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Although the estimated prevalence of PoTS is approximately 5–10 times as common as the better-known condition orthostatic hypotension, the neural substrates of the syndrome are poorly characterized. In the present study, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with voxel-based morphometry (VBM) applying the diffeomorphic anatomical registration through exponentiated lie algebra (DARTEL) procedure to examine variation in regional brain structure associated with PoTS. We recruited 11 patients with established PoTS and 23 age-matched normal controls. Group comparison of gray matter volume revealed diminished gray matter volume within the left anterior insula, right middle frontal gyrus and right cingulate gyrus in the PoTS group. We also observed lower white matter volume beneath the precentral gyrus and paracentral lobule, right pre- and post-central gyrus, paracentral lobule and superior frontal gyrus in PoTS patients. Subsequent ROI analyses revealed significant negative correlations between left insula volume and trait anxiety and depression scores. Together, these findings of structural differences, particularly within insular and cingulate components of the salience network, suggest a link between dysregulated physiological reactions arising from compromised central autonomic control (and interoceptive representation) and increased vulnerability to psychiatric symptoms in PoTS patients.

Progress in the treatment of small fiber peripheral neuropathy

Small fiber neuropathy is a syndrome of diverse disease etiology because of multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms with major presentations of neuropathic pain and autonomic symptoms. Over the past decade, there has been substantial progress in the treatments for neuropathic pain, dysautonomia and disease-modifying strategy. In particular, anticonvulsants and antidepressants alleviate neuropathic pain based on randomized clinical trials.

Hyperthyroidism decreases thyrotropin-releasing hormone gene expression in the caudal raphe nuclei and the parapyramidal regions in rats

Altered thyroid statuses are associated with autonomic disorders. Medullary thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and substance P (SP) regulate autonomic nervous activity. The influences of thyroid statuses on TRH and SP gene expressions in the caudal raphe nuclei and the parapyramidal regions were studied using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry. In male rats thyroidectomized (Tx) for 30 days, the serum T4 levels decreased by 64% and the medullary pro-TRH mRNA signals (silver grains per neuron) significantly increased by 32-45%. These changes were prevented by daily i.p. T4 (2 microg/100 g) injection in Tx rats. In sham operated/T4 (20 microg/100 g, daily) injected rats, T4 levels significantly increased by 88% and the silver grains decreased by 38-40%. Medullary SP mRNA signals were not significantly changed by altering thyroid status. These results support the concept that thyroid hormone regulates medullary TRH gene expression by negative feedback.