AI Article Synopsis

  • Pure autonomic failure (PAF) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are rare disorders that cause severe autonomic system issues, and distinguishing between them can take years.
  • The study aimed to see if new non-invasive tests could help differentiate between PAF and MSA using skin and eye assessments.
  • The findings showed some differences in skin tests between affected individuals and controls, but the tests were ineffective in distinguishing between PAF and MSA specifically.

Article Abstract

Background: Pure autonomic failure (PAF) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are rare disorders causing severe autonomic failure. Their initially similar clinical presentation may lead to years of diagnostic difficulties. Improving the differentiation would have an important impact on patients and families in view of better prediction of disease progression.

Objective: To investigate whether several new non-invasive autonomic tests are beneficial in discriminating between PAF and MSA.

Methods: Patients and controls underwent two tests examining the autonomic innervation of the skin (Sudoscan and water-induced skin wrinkling) and one test measuring retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the eye.

Results: The skin vasomotor tests yielded differences between the disease and control groups, but did not discriminate between PAF and MSA. No differences in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were found between the groups.

Conclusion: The tests applied in this study may help to confirm autonomic failure but did not support the differential diagnosis between PAF and MSA.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102773DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

autonomic failure
16
non-invasive autonomic
8
autonomic tests
8
pure autonomic
8
multiple system
8
retinal nerve
8
nerve fiber
8
fiber layer
8
layer thickness
8
paf msa
8

Similar Publications

Objective: Ghrelin is emerging as a promising therapeutic option for heart failure (HF) due to its potent inotropic, anabolic, and cardioprotective properties. This review aims to critically examine the available clinical evidence on ghrelin therapy in HF, while also incorporating key findings from preclinical studies that support its therapeutic potential.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Library up to September 15, 2024, using the keywords "heart failure" and "ghrelin.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Objective: Non-motor symptoms frequently develop throughout the disease course of Parkinson's disease (PD), and pose affected individuals at risk of complications, more rapid disease progression and poorer quality of life. Addressing such symptom burden, the 2023 revised "Parkinson's disease" guideline of the German Society of Neurology aimed at providing evidence-based recommendations for managing PD non-motor symptoms, including autonomic failure, pain and sleep disturbances.

Methods: Key PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions were formulated by the steering committee and refined by the assigned authors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), i.e., anti-PD1/PDL1 and anti-CTLA-4, have reshaped the prognosis of many cancers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

During cardiac development the heart is innervated by the autonomous nervous system. After development, neurons of the autonomic nervous system have limited capacity for growth and regeneration. However, in the past decades, it has become clear that cardiac nerves can regenerate after cardiac damage.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The spleen in ischaemic heart disease.

Nat Rev Cardiol

January 2025

Institute for Pathophysiology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Article Synopsis
  • Ischaemic heart disease results from coronary atherosclerosis, which is linked to systemic inflammation involving various immune cells released by the spleen.
  • Prolonged inflammation can lead to ischaemic heart failure, while the spleen's interaction with the nervous system can modulate immune responses and protect the heart from damage.
  • Splenectomy, which removes the spleen, increases mortality risk from ischaemic heart disease, highlighting the spleen's crucial role in immune responses and cardiovascular protection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!