Module 4
Autonomic Nervous System: Clinical Implications and Non Pharmaceutical Applications.
Neurology Diplomate Program Module 4-Autonomic Nervous System Reading and Reference
List for the lecture by Professor Frederick Robert Carrick on the Autonomic Nervous
System: Clinical Implications and Non Pharmaceutical Applications.
Recommended Reading:
Principles of Neural Science, Third Edition: Kandel, Schwartz and Jessell
Pgs. 761-775
The following references were utilized by Professor Carrick in his preparation of his clinical
lecture on the Autonomic Nervous System
Bibliography
1. Albers, K. M.; Perrone, T. N.; Goodness, T. P.; Jones, M. E.; Green, M. A.; Davis, B. M. Cutaneous overexpression of NT-3 increases sensory and sympathetic neuron number and enhances touch dome and hair follicle innervation. J-Cell-Biol. 1996 Jul; 134(2): 487-97; ISSN: 0021-9525.
UNITED-STATES. Target-derived influences of nerve growth factor on neuronal survival and differentiation are well documented, though effects of other neurotrophins are less clear. To examine the influence of NT-3 neurotrophin overexpression in a target tissue of sensory and sympathetic neurons, transgenic mice were isolated that overexpress NT-3 in the epidermis. Overexpression of NT-3 led to a 42% increase in the number of dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons, a 70% increase in the number of trigeminal sensory neurons, and a 32% increase in sympathetic neurons. Elevated NT-3 also caused enlargement of touch dome mechanoreceptor units, sensory end organs innervated by slowly adapting type 1 (SA1) neurons. The enlarged touch dome units of the transgenics had an increased number of associated Merkel cells, cells at which SA1s terminate. An additional alteration of skin innervation in NT-3 transgenics was an increased density of myelinated circular endings associated with the piloneural complex. The enhancement of innervation to the skin was accompanied by a doubling in the number of sensory neurons expressing trkC. In addition, measures of nerve fibers in cross-sectional profiles of cutaneous saphenous nerves of transgenics showed a 60% increase in myelinated fibers. These results indicate that in vivo overexpression of NT-3 by the epidermis enhances the number of sensory and sympathetic neurons and the development of selected sensory endings of the skin.. EC 2.7.1.-; 0; 0; 0; 0; 144515-70-8.
2. Alvarez, E.; Ferrer, T.; Perez Conde, C.; Lopez Terradas, J. M.; Perez Jimenez, A.; Ramos, M. J. Evaluation of congenital dysautonomia other than Riley-Day syndrome. Neuropediatrics. 1996 Feb; 27(1): 26-31; ISSN: 0174-304X.
GERMANY. We report on four children, from different families, who suffer from a congenital autonomic disorder, presumably inherited. Three of them have a sensory neuropathy but do not fit any described hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy. All four were examined along with some of their immediate family members. We assessed the cardiovagal, sympathetic adrenergic and sympathetic cholinergic functions with a battery of non-invasive tests. Results demonstrated that sudomotor and cardiovascular orthostatic regulation exhibited the greatest abnormalities, pointing to a predominant impairment of sympathetic components, both cholinergic and adrenergic. The overall examination showed a heterogeneous group of congenital dysautonomia, exclusive of Riley-Day or other recognized hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies. We emphasize the importance of studying whole family groups to diagnose subclinical impairment and to provide correct genetic counselling.
3. Anand, A. Reflex stimulation of aortic chemoreceptors through the stellate ganglion during hypoxia and hypotension in cats. J-Physiol-Lond. 1996 Mar 15; 491( Pt 3): 853-8; ISSN: 0022-3751.
ENGLAND. 1. In cats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (35 mg kg-1), an investigation was made of the mechanisms underlying the enhancement of aortic chemoreceptor activity through the excitatory effect mediated by the sympathetic outflow to them during hypoxia and hypotension. 2. Removal of the right stellate ganglion significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the responses of the chemoreceptors to hypoxia and hypotension. Injection of a bolus of sodium pentobarbitone reduced the responses before, but not after, stellectomy. This indicated that the excitatory sympathetic influence on the chemoreceptors (attributed to glomeral vasoconstriction leading to reduction in blood flow) is exerted entirely through the right stellate ganglion. This excitatory effect was abolished after cutting the vagi and both carotid sinus nerves. 3. It is concluded that, in addition to the direct excitatory effect of hypoxia on aortic chemoreceptors, a reflex chemoreceptor excitatory component is mediated through the vagi, carotid sinus nerves and right stellate ganglion.. 0; 76-74-4.
4. Andrews, T. J.; Thrasivoulou, C.; Nesbit, W.; Cowen, T. Target-specific differences in the dendritic morphology and neuropeptide content of neurons in the rat SCG during development and aging. J-Comp-Neurol. 1996 Apr 22; 368(1): 33-44; ISSN: 0021-9967.
UNITED-STATES. Our purpose in this work was to investigate the role of target tissues in the regulation of dendritic morphology from sympathetic neurons during development and aging. Neurons were retrogradely labeled from three targets, the iris, the submandibular gland (SMG), and the middle cerebral artery (MCA). They were then fixed and intracellularly injected to demonstrate their dendritic arborizations. Dendritic geometry varied quantitatively in sympathetic neurons innervating different target tissues at all stages of development. Neurons innervating the iris had the largest cell bodies and most extensive dendritic arborizations, whereas the vasomotor neurons were the smallest. The number of primary dendrites, however, did not vary significantly between the different neuronal populations. The growth of dendritic arborizations during postnatal development and their atrophy in old age were not concordant in the different neuron populations we studied. Neurons innervating the MCA and the iris ceased dendritic growth early in postnatal development, whereas the dendritic complexity of neurons supplying the SMG increased well into adulthood. By contrast, dendritic atrophy was seen in aged MCA- and SMG-projecting neurons but not in those innervating the iris, suggesting, with other evidence, correlated and distinct patterns of growth and atrophy in axons and dendrites of mature sympathetic neurons projecting to different targets. Swollen dendrites and protuberances on cell soma were a prominent feature of aged neurons. In addition to the target-specific variation in neuronal morphology, we observed diversity in neurotransmitter phenotype. For example, neuropeptide Y was expressed in iridial but not SMG-projecting neurons. These results show a range of age- and target-specific differences in the dendritic morphology and neuropeptide content of sympathetic neurons that may be a result of differing trophic interactions with their target tissues.. EC 1.14.16.2; 0; 0.
5. Ayyagari, P. V.; Harrell, L. E.; Parsons, D. S.; Kolasa, K. Sympathetic sprouting reverses decreases in membrane-associated activity of protein kinase C following septohippocampal denervation of the rat hippocampus. Brain-Res. 1996 Feb 5; 708(1-2): 205-8; ISSN: 0006-8993.
NETHERLANDS. Hippocampal sympathetic ingrowth (HSI), a form of neuronal plasticity, is induced by medial septal lesions and consists of the sprouting of peripheral sympathetic fibers, arising from the superior cervical ganglion, into the dentate gyrus and CA3 region of the hippocampus. HSI has been previously shown to alter learned and spontaneous behaviors, phosphatidyl inositide hydrolysis, and the antagonist binding kinetics of both muscarinic cholinergic receptors and phorbol ester receptors. We now report that sympathetic sprouting reverses decreases in membrane-associated activity of protein kinase C (PKC) following septohippocampal denervation of the rat hippocampus. Further, no changes were found in alpha, beta or gamma PKC isoenzymes among experimental groups, suggesting that the group A PKC isoforms do not mediate the observed changes in activity and phorbol ester binding.. EC 2.7.1.-; 0.
6. Balzamo, E.; Joanny, P.; Steinberg, J. G.; Oliver, C.; Jammes, Y. Mechanical ventilation increases substance P concentration in the vagus, sympathetic, and phrenic nerves. Am-J-Respir-Crit-Care-Med. 1996 Jan; 153(1): 153-7; ISSN: 1073-449X.
UNITED-STATES. Substance P (SP), a neurotransmitter localized to primary sensory neurons, is found in the vagus nerve, nodose ganglion, sympathetic chain, and phrenic nerve in various animal species. However, the changes in endogeneous SP concentration under various circumstances that involve the participation of cardiorespiratory afferent nerves are still unexplored. In the present study, attention was focused on the variations in SP content measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in respiratory afferent nerves (vagus nerve, cervical sympathetic chain, phrenic nerve) and respiratory muscles (diaphragm, intercostal muscles) during positive inspiratory pressure (PIP) breathing alone or PIP with an expiratory threshold load (ETL) in rabbits. SP was found in all sampled structures in spontaneously breathing control animals, prevailing in the nodose ganglion. Left-versus right-sided differences were noticed in nerves. As compared with that in control animals, the SP concentration was markedly higher in vagal and sympathetic nervous structures during PIP or PIP with ETL, and also in the phrenic nerve during ETL breathing. The SP content did not vary in respiratory muscles. These observations suggest that two very common circumstances of mechanical ventilation are associated with an increased SP concentration in nervous structures participating in the control of breathing.. 33507-63-0.
7. Beard, J. P.; Wade, W. H.; Barber, D. B. Sacral insufficiency stress fracture as etiology of positional autonomic dysreflexia: case report. Paraplegia. 1996 Mar; 34(3): 173-5; ISSN: 0031-1758.
ENGLAND. The medical literature is replete with case reports of the syndrome known as autonomic dysreflexia. Although the majority of cases are known to be induced by either bladder or bowel distention. there does exist a small number of cases in which the inciting stimulus is more obscure. In such cases, a comprehensive medical evaluation is necessary to ensure proper identification of the source of irritation and the appropriate medical management of the patient. We present a patient with a heretofore unreported suspected etiology of autonomic dysreflexia, axial loading of a sacral stress fracture.
8. Bielarczyk, H.; Tian, X.; Suszkiw, J. B. Cholinergic denervation-like changes in rat hippocampus following developmental lead exposure. Brain-Res. 1996 Feb 5; 708(1-2): 108-15; ISSN: 0006-8993.
NETHERLANDS. We investigated the effects of developmental lead exposure from embryonic day 16 (E16) through postnatal day 28 (PN28), on cholinergic and catecholaminergic markers in the septohippocampal pathway in rats through fourth month of age. Lead exposure resulted in a persistent 30-40% reduction of [3H]hemicholinium-3 ([3H]HC-3) binding in the hippocampus through PN120, and 20-30% reduction of septal and hippocampal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity which persisted through PN84 but returned to control levels in both septum and hippocampus at PN112. The muscarinic ligand [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate ([3H]QNB) binding was reduced in the septum at PN28 but did not differ significantly from controls at PN56-PN112. Neither short- nor long-term effects of Pb exposure on [3H]QNB binding were seen in the hippocampus. Similar to the effects of fimbria-fornix transection, Pb exposure resulted in a long-term 50-90% increase of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) activity in the hippocampus, although neither treatment affected TH activity in the septum. The lead-induced increase in hippocampal TH was significantly attenuated by superior cervical ganglionectomy. It is concluded that the effects of perinatal lead exposure resemble in several respects those seen following surgical disruption of the septohippocampal pathway in adult animals. The denervation-like effects in the hippocampus may be an important factor in long-term learning and cognitive impairments following developmental exposure to low-levels of lead.. EC 1.14.16.2; EC 2.3.1.6; 0; 6581-06-2; 7439-92-1.
9. Bordet, R.; Benhadjali, J.; Destee, A.; Hurtevent, J. F.; Bourriez, J. L.; Guieu, J. D. Sympathetic skin response and R-R interval variability in multiple system atrophy and idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Mov-Disord. 1996 May; 11(3): 268-72; ISSN: 0885-3185.
UNITED-STATES. We compared autonomic function in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) or with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) by measuring sympathetic skin response (SSR) and R-R interval variability (RRIV). SSR was investigated in 26 patients (13 with MSA and 13 patients with IPD). RRIV during deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver, and on standing was investigated in 20 patients (nine with MSA and 11 with IPD). MSA and IPD patients had similar age, illness duration, and therapy. Abnormal SSR was more frequent in MSA (69%) than in IPD (7.7%; x2, 10.4; p < 0.002). RRIV during deep breathing and the Valsalva maneuver was lower in MSA than in IPD (p = 0.02). RRIV during standing up was not significantly different in IPD and MSA. These differences between MSA and IPD may be due to more severe and widespread autonomic disturbance in MSA, related to more severe neuropathologic involvement of the autonomic nervous system. SSR and RRIV may aid in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonism and help to exclude from clinical trials MSA patients clinically misdiagnosed as having IPD.
10. Borg, A. A. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome: diagnosis and treatment. Disabil-Rehabil. 1996 Apr; 18(4): 174-80; ISSN: 0963-8288.
ENGLAND. The reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is a very common, poorly recognized syndrome which is associated with marked disability in some cases. The historical aspects, current ideas about the pathogenesis and pathophysiology, clinical features and staging are discussed. Early recognition and appropriate intervention are the cornerstone of successful treatment and are also discussed.
11. Bossut, D. F.; Shea, V. K.; Perl, E. R. Sympathectomy induces adrenergic excitability of cutaneous C-fiber nociceptors. J-Neurophysiol. 1996 Jan; 75(1): 514-7; ISSN: 0022-3077.
UNITED-STATES. 1. The effects of ipsilateral removal of the superior cervical ganglion on the subsequent responsiveness of C-fiber polymodal nociceptors (CPMs) of the ear to close-arterial injections of norepinephrine (NE) were evaluated in adult, anesthetized rabbits. 2. In normal unanesthetized rabbits, the two ears were usually at the same temperature. Immediately after the ganglionectomy, the ipsilateral ear was warmer; however, at the time of electrophysiological recordings (4-23 days) the majority of animals had the ipsilateral ear cooler by > or = 1 degree C, suggestive of denervation supersensitivity. 3. NE (50 ng) did not activate any CPMs (n = 28) from intact animals. 4. Seven of 22 CPMs recorded from sympathectomized ears were activated by NE (50 ng). The responses varied considerably but typically consisted of 2-4 impulses in the 60 s after the NE injection. In some instances, repetitive activity continued for many minutes. Such prolonged discharge differs from the adrenergic responses seen after partial nerve damage. 5. The induction of adrenergic excitability in CPMs by sympathectomy is suggested to be a counterpart to postsympathectomy neuralgia in human beings and a possible part of the mechanism leading to sympathetically related pain states.. 51-41-2.
12. Braune, S.; Auer, A.; Schulte Monting, J.; Schwerbrock, S.; Lucking, C. H. Cardiovascular parameters: sensitivity to detect autonomic dysfunction and influence of age and sex in normal subjects. Clin-Auton-Res. 1996 Feb; 6(1): 3-15; ISSN: 0959-9851.
ENGLAND. In 137 healthy volunteers between 18 and 85 years of age, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously with the Finapres device during active change of posture (ACP), i.e. standing upright, passive tilt (PT, i.e. head-up tilt), Valsalva manoeuvre (VM), deep breathing (DB), isometric muscle exercise (IME) and a mental arithmetic task (MA). Mean HR activation was attenuated with increasing age in all manoeuvres, but was unrelated to sex. In non-orthostatic challenge procedures like MA and IME mean BP increases were independent of age and sex, despite lower increases in HR in the elderly. This points to a preserved sympathetic efferent activity. Following a forced fall in BP during ACP, PT and VM, the initial responses and maintenance values of BP showed a significant age-related decrease. This finding was strongly related to lower BP values in males compared with females, which became more pronounced with increasing age. Further studies to investigate age-related changes in the activation of the various components of the cardiovascular regulation need to consider the mode of activation of the autonomic nervous system and sex as factors of influence. Normal ranges, and also some new points in time not previously measurable, were calculated for all standard autonomic tests based on the continuous measurement of BP and HR. The minimum length of time necessary to assess the cardiovascular responses during ACP and PT was found to be 60 s. The upper time limits for reaching maximum activation during IME and MA were 3.5 min and 1 min, respectively. Age had a relevant influence on the lower limits of normal of all HR parameters and of some BP measurements during PT, ACP and VM. Sex was found to have no relevant impact on normal ranges. Over 65 years of age the normal values for HR activation during VM and DB hardly exceeded baseline values. The possibility of increasing the sensitivity of detection of autonomic dysfunction by measuring BP continuously must be approached with caution, as sufficient sensitivity was only reached at the lower limits of normal during late phase II of the VM. The initial increase of HR after ACP and the BP values after 60 s standing time proved to be the parameters with the best sensitivity for detecting an affection of the regulation of HR and BP over the whole range of age.
13. Camargos, E. R.; Haertel, L. R.; Machado, C. R. Preganglionic fibres of the adrenal medulla and cervical sympathetic ganglia: differential involvement during experimental American trypanosomiasis in rats. Int-J-Exp-Pathol. 1996 Jun; 77(3): 115-24; ISSN: 0959-9673.
ENGLAND. The acute phase of experimental Chagas' disease in rats is associated with early lesions of the post-ganglionic sympathetic nerve terminals of the heart, the varicosities being the target. In the superior cervical and stellate ganglia the preganglionic fibres showed no signs of lesion in the course of experimental Chagas' disease. In the adrenal medulla, however, the acute phase of the Trypanosoma cruzi infection induced a clear rarefaction of the acetylcholinesterase-positive nerve fibres (20 and 32 days after infection). Recovery of the normal pattern occurred in most animals by day 125 after infection. At days 20, 32 and 46 after infection, electron-microscopic studies demonstrated the occurrence of damage in cholinergic nerve terminals contacting the chromaffin cells. The signs of damage included dense bodies, clumps of synaptic vesicles and filaments, rarefaction of all organelles, vacuoles and irregular contour. The ultrastructural peculiarities of the sympathetic ganglia may explain the ganglionar microenvironment protective against the hazardous factors elicited by acute Chagas' disease.. EC 3.1.1.7.
14. Campos Rosa, J.; Galanakis, D.; Ganellin, C. R.; Dunn, P. M. Synthesis, molecular modeling, and K+ channel-blocking activity of dequalinium analogues having semirigid linkers. J-Med-Chem. 1996 Oct 11; 39(21): 4247-54; ISSN: 0022-2623.
UNITED-STATES. Dequalinium [1,1'-(decane-1, 10-diyl)bis(2-methyl-4-aminoquinolinium)] is an effective blocker of the small conductance Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel. It has been shown that the number of methylene groups in the alkyl chain linking the two quinolinium rings of this type of molecule is not critical for activity. To further investigate the role of the linker, analogues of dequalinium have been synthesized, in which the alkyl chain has been replaced by CH2XCH2 where X is a rigid or semirigid group containing aromatic rings. The compounds have been tested for blockade of the slow after-hyperpolarization on rat sympathetic neurons. The most potent compounds have X = phenanthryl, fluorenyl, cis-stilbene, and C6H4(CH2)nC6H4, where n = 0-4. The conformational preferences of the compounds were investigated using the XED/COSMIC molecular modeling system. Although there is some dependence of the potency of the analogue on the conformational properties of the linker (X), overall, X groups having substantial structural differences are tolerated. It seems that X provides a support for the two quinolinium groups and does not interact with the channel directly. The intramolecular separation between the quinolinium rings, which is provided by rigid groups X, is not critical for activity; this may be attributed to the residual conformational mobility of the heterocycles and to the extensive delocalization of the positive charge. These two factors may permit favorable contacts between the quinolinium groups and the channel over a range of intramolecular separations.. 0; 6707-58-0.
15. Carlsson, M. [The man behind the syndrome: William John Adie. He won an involuntary victory in an academic dispute]. Mannen bakom syndromet: William John Adie. Vann ofrivillig seger i akademisk strid. Lakartidningen. 1996 May 15; 93(20): 1966-9; ISSN: 0023-7205.
SWEDEN.
16. Casado, M.; Lopez Guajardo, A.; Mellstrom, B.; Naranjo, J. R.; Lerma, J. Functional N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in clonal rat phaeochromocytoma cells. J-Physiol-Lond. 1996 Jan 15; 490( Pt 2): 391-404; ISSN: 0022-3751.
ENGLAND. 1. To characterize from a molecular and functional point of view the endogenous NMDA receptors expressed by phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells, experiments involving polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, Western blotting and patch-clamp analysis of undifferentiated and nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells were performed. 2. Analysis of PC12 mRNA demonstrated the presence of NMDAR1 and NMDAR2C transcripts. The NMDAR1 subunits lack the amino terminal insert of twenty-one amino acid residues, where as transcripts with and without deletions I and II at the 3' end of the coding region were detected. Thus, NMDA receptors of the PC12 cells might include NMDAR1A, NMDAR1E, NMDAR1C and NMDAR1D subunits. 3. Differentiation by NGF treatment of PC12 cells did not alter mRNA expression for NMDA receptor subunits significantly but induced an increase in both the NMDAR1 protein and the total amount of functional receptors that correlated well with a parallel increase in membrane area. 4. NMDA receptors in differentiated PC12 cells had a high affinity for both glutamate and glycine. These were estimated kinetically as 0.59 microM and 74 nM, respectively. Responses to glutamate or NMDA were non-desensitizing in the presence of saturating glycine, but slowly desensitized with low concentrations of glycine. Currents were completely blocked by D-aminophosphonovalerate (APV), 7-Cl-kynurenate and phencyclidine, and showed a voltage-dependent magnesium blockade. Spermine did not potentiate but inhibited NMDA receptor-mediated responses in a voltage-independent manner. 5. With 0.5 mM Ca2+, single-channel analysis revealed very brief openings (mean open time (t(o)) = 0.42 ms), with at least two conductive states, 55 and 33 pS, both having markedly low open probability. At 2 mM Ca2+, conductances were reduced to 39 and 19 pS, without an effect in open probability or mean open time. 6. The functional properties of NMDA receptors in PC12 cells were very similar to those described for NMDAR1A-NMDAR2C heteromers recombinantly expressed. The PC12 cell line provides a simple and reproducible system to analyse some specific NMDA receptor properties.. 0; 0; 0; 0; 3483-12-3; 56-40-6; 56-86-0; 71-44-3; 7439-95-4; 7440-70-2.
17. Chakder, S.; Rattan, S. Evidence for VIP-induced increase in NO production in myenteric neurons of opossum internal anal sphincter. Am-J-Physiol. 1996 Mar; 270(3 Pt 1): G492-7; ISSN: 0002-9513.
UNITED-STATES. A significant interaction between vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and nitric oxide (NO) has been reported in neurotransmission of the gastrointestinal tract, including the internal anal sphincter (IAS). The exact site of this NO release from the IAS in response to VIP is not known. Studies were carried out to determine the site of this VIP-induced NO release in opossum IAS. NO synthase (NOS) activity was quantitated by determining L--3H-citrulline production from L[3H]arginine in isolated myenteric ganglia and smooth muscle cells of the IAS. L-[3H]citrulline production was determined before and after treatment with either the ganglionic stimulant 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP), VIP, or peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) in the absence and presence of the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin and the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). Smooth muscle cells and ganglia were preloaded with L-[3H]arginine for 5 min and treated with VIP for 1 and 5 min. DMPP and VIP caused a significant increase in L-[3H]citrulline formation in myenteric ganglia at both time periods, whereas in smooth muscle cells there was a moderate but significant increase in L-[3H]citrulline production only at 5 min of VIP treatment. VIP-induced relaxation of isolated smooth muscle cells of the IAS was not affected by L-NNA. The increase in NOS activity of myenteric ganglia by DMPP and VIP was sensitive to neurotoxin and the NOS inhibitor. The data suggest that the increase in NO production in response to VIP in the IAS occurs mainly from the myenteric neurons, with some contribution from the smooth muscle cells.. EC 1.14.13.39; 0; 0; 10102-43-9; 2149-70-4; 372-75-8; 37221-79-7; 4368-28-9; 54-77-3; 7004-12-8.
18. Chancellor, M. B.; Shenot, P. J.; Rivas, D. A.; Mandel, S.; Schwartzman, R. J. Urological symptomatology in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. J-Urol. 1996 Feb; 155(2): 634-7; ISSN: 0022-5347.
UNITED-STATES. PURPOSE: We determined the effect of reflex sympathetic dystrophy on lower urinary tract function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 consecutive patients (16 women and 4 men) with neurologically verified reflex sympathetic dystrophy was referred for voiding symptoms, including urgency, frequency, incontinence and urinary retention. No patient had had voiding symptoms before the initial trauma that induced reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Evaluation included medical history, physical examination, video urodynamic testing and cystoscopy. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 43.4 +/- 10.2 years (range 28 to 58) and mean duration of urological symptoms was 4.9 +/- 3.6 years (range 1 to 14). Urodynamic study demonstrated a mean cystometric bladder capacity of 417 +/- 182 ml. (range 120 to 700). The urodynamic diagnoses included detrusor hyperreflexia in 8 patients, detrusor areflexia in 8, sensory urgency in 3 and detrusor hyperreflexia with detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia in 1. In 4 women genuine stress urinary incontinence was also documented urodynamically. CONCLUSIONS: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy may have a profound effect on detrusor and sphincter function.
19. Chelimsky, T. C.; Low, P. A.; Naessens, J. M.; Wilson, P. R.; Amadio, P. C.; O'Brien, P. C. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy [letter; comment]. Mayo-Clin-Proc. 1996 May; 71(5): 524; discussion 525; ISSN: 0025-6196.
Note: Comment on: Mayo Clin Proc 1995 Nov;70(11):1124-6.
UNITED-STATES.
20. Cho, S.; Son, J. H.; Park, D. H.; Aoki, C.; Song, X.; Smith, G. P.; Joh, T. H. Reduced sympathetic innervation after alteration of target cell neurotransmitter phenotype in transgenic mice. Proc-Natl-Acad-Sci-U-S-A. 1996 Apr 2; 93(7): 2862-6; ISSN: 0027-8424.
UNITED-STATES. Neurotransmitters play a variety of important roles during nervous system development. In the present study, we hypothesized that neurotransmitter phenotype of both projecting and target cells is an important factor for the final synaptic linkage and its specificity. To test this hypothesis, we used transgenic techniques to convert serotonin/melatonin-producing cells of the pineal gland into cells that also produce dopamine and investigated the innervation of the phenotypically altered target cells. This phenotypic alteration markedly reduced the noradrenergic innervation originating from the superior cervical ganglia. Although the mechanism by which the reduction occurs is presently unknown, quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassay showed the presence of the equivalent amounts of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the control and transgenic pineal glands, suggesting that it occurred in a NGF-independent manner. The results suggest that target neurotransmitter phenotype influences the formation of afferent connections during development.. EC 1.14.16.2; 0; 0; 0.
21. Clinchot, D. M.; Lorch, F. Sympathetic skin response in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Am-J-Phys-Med-Rehabil. 1996 Jul; 75(4): 252-6; ISSN: 0894-9115.
UNITED-STATES. The sympathetic skin response (SSR) was recorded in four patients diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) in one upper limb using Kozin's clinical criteria in conjunction with a three-phase bone scan. All patients had sustained cerebral vascular accidents and were classified as Stage I RSD. The SSR was recorded in both hands after each of ten contralateral median nerve surface stimulations and in both feet after each of ten contralateral peroneal nerve surface stimulations. Amplitude, onset latency, and number of phases were recorded for all responses in each limb. Mean amplitude, onset latency, and the number of phases of the five largest potentials were then determined. In all patients, there was a statistically significant difference in the amplitude and latency of the SSR in the involved limb compared with the uninvolved limb; mean amplitude of the involved limb was greater than the mean amplitude of the uninvolved limb (P < 0.001), and latency to onset of the SSR in the involved limb was shorter than that of the uninvolved limb (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in mean amplitude and latency between the involved side and uninvolved side responses as measured at the feet.
22. Cloues, R.; Marrion, N. V. Conduction properties of the M-channel in rat sympathetic neurons. Biophys-J. 1996 Feb; 70(2): 806-12; ISSN: 0006-3495.
UNITED-STATES. We have investigated the conduction properties of the M-channel in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons. Reversal potentials measured under bi-ionic conditions yielded a permeation sequence of Tl > K > Rb > Cs > NH4 > Na. Slope conductances gave a conductance sequence of K > Tl > NH4 > Rb > Cs. M-current was shown to exhibit a number of features atypical of potassium channels. First, the conduction of monovalent cations relative to K was very low. Second, the nature of the permeant ion did not affect the deactivation kinetics. Third, M-current did not exhibit anomalous mole-fraction behavior, a property suggestive of a multi-ion pore. Finally, external Ba, which is a blocker of M-current, showed a preferential block of outward current and had much less effect on inward current. The permeability sequence of the M-channel is very similar to other K-selective channels, implying a high degree of conservation in the selectivity filter. However, other conduction properties suggest that the pore structure outside of the selectivity filter is very different from previously cloned potassium channels.. 0; 0; 7440-39-3.
23. Consensus statement on the definition of orthostatic hypotension, pure autonomic failure, and multiple system atrophy. The Consensus Committee of the American Autonomic Society and the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 1996 May; 46(5): 1470; ISSN: 0028-3878.
UNITED-STATES.
24. Corbel, C.; Pourquie, O.; Cormier, F.; Vaigot, P.; Le Douarin, N. M. BEN/SC1/DM-GRASP, a homophilic adhesion molecule, is required for in vitro myeloid colony formation by avian hemopoietic progenitors. Proc-Natl-Acad-Sci-U-S-A. 1996 Apr 2; 93(7): 2844-9; ISSN: 0027-8424.
UNITED-STATES. BEN/SC1/DM-GRASP is a membrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily isolated in the chick by several groups, including ours. Its expression is strictly developmentally regulated in several cell types of the nervous and hemopoietic systems and in certain epithelia. Each of these cell types expresses isoforms of BEN which differ by their level of N-glycosylation and by the presence or absence of the HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope. In the present work, the influence of glycosylation on BEN homophilic binding properties was investigated by two in vitro assays. First, each BEN isoform was covalently coupled to microspheres carrying different fluorescent dyes and an aggregation test was performed. We found that homophilic aggregates form indifferently between the same or different BEN isoforms, showing that glycosylation does not affect BEN homophilic binding properties. This was confirmed in the second test, where the BEN-coated microspheres bound to the neurites of BEN- expressing neurons, irrespective of the isoform considered. The transient expression of the BEN antigen on hemopoietic progenitors prompted us to see whether it might play a role in their proliferation and differentiation. When added to hemopoietic progenitor cells in an in vitro colony formation assay anti-BEN immunoglobulin strongly inhibited myeloid, but not erythroid, colony formation although both types of precursors express the molecule.. 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0.
25. Cowen, T.; Thrasivoulou, C.; Shaw, S. A.; Abdel Rahman, T. A. Transplanted sweat glands from mature and aged donors determine cholinergic phenotype and altered density of host sympathetic nerves. J-Auton-Nerv-Syst. 1996 May 6; 58(3): 153-62; ISSN: 0165-1838.
NETHERLANDS. Contact with sweat gland acini causes sympathetic neurons to switch from a catecholaminergic to a cholinergic phenotype during development and following experimental manipulations. Substantial reductions of cholinergic innervation have been shown in the sweat glands of ageing rats and humans. Using in oculo transplantation, we have now studied whether sweat gland target tissues retain the capacity to regulate changes in the phenotype of sympathetic neurons observed in maturity and old age, including a switch from catecholaminergic to cholinergic characters. Markers have been used which indicate changes in nerve fibre morphology (the pan-neuronal marker, PGP9.5) as well as neurotransmitter expression (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), vasocative intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)). Sweat glands from young and old donor rats became reinnervated by an organotypic pattern of cholinergic host nerves. Surgical sympathectomy demonstrated that these cholinergic nerve fibres originate from sympathetic neurons of the host superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Retrograde tracing combined with staining for VIP (a marker associated with cholinergic phenotype in neurons supplying sweat glands) showed that SCG neurons projecting to irises with sweat gland implants may be induced to express VIP. We hypothesise that these neurons have been switched from their normal catecholaminergic phenotype to a cholinergic one by contact with the sweat gland implants. Transplants from old donors attracted a density of reinnervation by young host nerves which was appropriate to the age of the donor, thus old sweat glands received a significantly reduced density of innervation compared to young glands. Despite the reduced density of innervation, there was no obvious difference in the ability of young and old implants to induce the switch to a cholinergic phenotype, suggesting that different mechanisms regulate nerve growth and neurotransmitter phenotype.. 0; 37221-79-7; 82785-14-6.
26. Czech, A.; Luzniak, P. [Diabetic neuropathy: overview of clinical problems]. Neuropatia cukrzycowa: przeglad problemow klinicznych. Pol-Tyg-Lek. 1996 Jan; 51(1-5): 33-4; ISSN: 0032-3756.
POLAND.
27. Daniel, T. M. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy. Chest-Surg-Clin-N-Am. 1996 Feb; 6(1): 69-83; ISSN: 1052-3359.
UNITED-STATES. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy has become the most widely used approach to cervicothoracic sympathectomy. Appropriate selection of cases and a knowledge of the regional anatomy are essential in achieving good clinical results. The physiology and anatomy of the upper thoracic sympathectomy system and the indications, contraindications, and complications of the operation are described. The technique of the operation as done at the University of Virginia is then presented in a step-by-step manner.
28. Diaz Villoslada, P.; Nos, C.; Alvarez Sabin, J. [Dysphagia, dysphonia and Horner's syndrome as a form of presentation of right subclavian artery aneurysm (letter)]. Disfagia, distonia y sindrome de Claudio Bernard-Horner como forma de presentacion de un aneurisma de arteria subclavia derecha aberrante. Rev-Neurol. 1996 Jul; 24(131): 868; ISSN: 0210-0010.
SPAIN.
29. Drummond, P. D. The site of sympathetic deficit in cluster headache. Headache. 1996 Jan; 36(1): 3-9; ISSN: 0017-8748.
UNITED-STATES. The pattern of autonomic deficit in the face of cluster headache patients resembles the deficit in patients with a postganglionic sympathetic lesion from some other cause; however, the presence of abnormal cardiac rhythms and bilateral pupillary reflex deficit in some patients with cluster headache suggests that the lesion might compromise central sympathetic drive. To investigate this possibility, the vasomotor and sudomotor startle reflex was investigated in the hands of six cluster headache patients with ocular and thermoregulatory signs of postganglionic sympathetic deficit in the face; for comparison, responses were also investigated in 15 patients with a lesion in the cervical sympathetic pathway from some other cause. The startle reflex was intact in the hands of the six cluster headache patients, but was diminished ipsilaterally in patients with a central or preganglionic sympathetic lesion and also, surprisingly, in patients with a postganglionic lesion caused by an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. Ocular sympathetic deficit was greater in patients with an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery than in cluster headache patients or in patients with a postganglionic sympathetic lesion from some other cause; the aneurysm may have compromised neurons with projections to the face and hand, or could have induced transsynaptic degeneration of preganglionic fibers supplying both regions. The findings indicate that central sympathetic drive is not impaired in cluster headache patients; thus, a peripheral lesion probably induces sympathetic deficit on the symptomatic side of the face.
30. Drummond, P. D.; Skipworth, S.; Finch, P. M. alpha 1-adrenoceptors in normal and hyperalgesic human skin. Clin-Sci-Colch. 1996 Jul; 91(1): 73-7; ISSN: 0143-5221.
ENGLAND. 1. Evidence of an adrenergic component of cutaneous hyperalgesia has recently been obtained in animal models of painful peripheral neuropathy. These findings have prompted speculation that an increased density or sensitivity of peripheral alpha-adrenoceptors contributes to sensory abnormalities and chronic neuropathic pain in conditions such as reflex sympathetic dystrophy. However, it is not known whether alpha-adrenoceptors are present at the site of nociception, either in hyperalgesic or normal skin. 2. We used the selective radioligand 125I-hydroxyphenyl-ethyl-aminomethyl-tetralone (HEAT) to label alpha 1-adrenoceptors, and quantitative autoradiography to assess the relative density of these receptors in skin samples from seven normal individuals and from the hyperalgesic and pain-free limbs of five patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The distribution of autoradiographic grains over the epidermis and dermis was investigated in 10 microns serial transverse sections. 3. alpha 1-Adrenoceptors were identified in the epidermis and dermal papillae of normal individuals, and in the hyperalgesic and pain-free skin of patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors was greater in the epidermis and dermal papillae than further down in the dermis. 4. The mean density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors was significantly greater in the hyperalgesic skin of patients than in the skin of normal individuals (35.4 grains/1000 microns2 compared with 15.5 grains/ 1000 microns2, P < 0.01). The mean density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the pain-free skin of patients (26.9 grains/1000 microns2) fell midway between receptor density in hyperalgesic skin and in the skin of normal individuals, and did not differ significantly from either. 5. Our findings indicate that alpha 1-adrenoceptors are present in the epidermis, and suggest that their numbers may be increased in the hyperalgesic skin of patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Further studies need to identify the dermal and epidermal cell types that express high densities of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, and to investigate their normal function and role in neuropathic pain.. 0.
31. Du, X. J.; Vincan, E.; Woodcock, D. M.; Milano, C. A.; Dart, A. M.; Woodcock, E. A. Response to cardiac sympathetic activation in transgenic mice overexpressing beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Am-J-Physiol. 1996 Aug; 271(2 Pt 2): H630-6; ISSN: 0002-9513.
UNITED-STATES. Transgenic mice have been created with 200-fold overexpression of beta 2-adrenergic receptors specifically in the heart. Cardiac function was studied in these transgenic mice and their controls at baseline and during isoproterenol perfusion or sympathetic nerve stimulation. The model used was an in situ buffer-perfused, innervated heart, and the left ventricle maximal derivative of pressure over time (dP/dtmax) and heart rate (HR) were measured. Basal HR and dP/dtmax were 30-40% higher in hearts from transgenic mice than controls. Electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerves (2, 4, and 8 Hz) or infusion of isoproterenol markedly increased HR and dP/dtmax in control hearts. Hearts from transgenic mice did not respond to isoproterenol. However, hearts from transgenic mice retained the HR response to nerve stimulation, and a small increase in dP/dtmax was also detected. Atenolol inhibited the response to nerve stimulation in control hearts but not that in hearts from transgenic mice. ICI-118551 inhibited the response in transgenic hearts. Basal HR and dP/dtmax were decreased by ICI-118551 only in transgenic hearts. Thus overexpression of cardiac beta 2-receptors modifies beta-adrenergic activity, but the responses to endogenous and exogenous adrenergic stimulation are affected differently.. 0; 0; 0; 0; 29122-68-7; 72795-19-8; 7683-59-2.
32. Dun, N. J.; Tang, H.; Dun, S. L.; Huang, R.; Dun, E. C.; Wakade, A. R. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-immunoreactive sensory neurons innervate rat adrenal medulla. Brain-Res. 1996 Apr 15; 716(1-2): 11-21; ISSN: 0006-8993.
NETHERLANDS. Rat adrenal chromaffin cells were invested by a dense network of nerve fibers immunoreactive to pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP-IR). Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of PACAP-IR in nodose and dorsal root ganglion cells, but not in neurons of the intermediolateral cell column and other autonomic nuclei of the thoracic and upper lumbar spinal cord. Somata of the T7 to T12 paravertebral ganglia were PACAP-negative. A few lightly labeled neurons were occasionally noted in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Injection of the retrograde tracer Fluorogold into the left adrenal medulla 3 days prior to sacrifice resulted in the labeling of a population of neurons in the ipsilateral spinal cord intermediolateral cell column (T1 to L1), ipsilateral and contralateral nodose ganglia and ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia from T7 to T10 inclusive. A small number of lightly labeled somata was occasionally noted in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Combined retrograde tracing and PACAP immunohistochemistry showed that a population of Fluorogold-containing nodose and dorsal root ganglion cells were also PACAP-positive. Pre-treatment of the rats with capsaicin caused a marked reduction of the PACAP-IR in the adrenal gland as well as in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn and caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus. These findings, in conjunction with the apparent absence of PACAP-IR in spinal sympathetic preganglionic neurons, sympathetic postganglionic neurons, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, raise the possibility that PACAP-IR fibers observed in the adrenal medulla are primarily sensory in origin. As a corollary, catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells may be modulated by the peptidergic sensory afferents in addition to the cholinergic sympathetic preganglionic nerve fibers.. 0; 0; 0; 0; 404-86-4; 82785-14-6.
33. Durbec, P. L.; Larsson Blomberg, L. B.; Schuchardt, A.; Costantini, F.; Pachnis, V. Common origin and developmental dependence on c-ret of subsets of enteric and sympathetic neuroblasts. Development. 1996 Jan; 122(1): 349-58; ISSN: 0950-1991.
ENGLAND. c-ret encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that is necessary for normal development of the mammalian enteric nervous system. Germline mutations in c-ret lead to congenital megacolon in humans, while a loss-of-function allele (ret.k-) causes intestinal aganglionosis in mice. Here we examine in detail the function of c-ret during neurogenesis, as well as the lineage relationships among cell populations in the enteric nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system that are dependent on c-ret function. We report that, while the intestine of newborn ret.k- mice is devoid of enteric ganglia, the esophagus and stomach are only partially affected; furthermore, the superior cervical ganglion is absent, while more posterior sympathetic ganglia and the adrenal medulla are unaffected. Analysis of mutant embryos shows that the superior cervical ganglion anlage is present at E10.5, but absent by E12.5, suggesting that c-ret is required for the survival or proliferation of sympathetic neuroblasts. In situ hybridization studies, as well as direct labelling of cells with DiI, indicate that a common pool of neural crest cells derived from the postotic hindbrain normally gives rise to most of the enteric nervous system and the superior cervical ganglion, and is uniquely dependent on c-ret function for normal development. We term this the sympathoenteric lineage. In contrast, a distinct sympathoadrenal lineage derived from trunk neural crest forms the more posterior sympathetic ganglia, and also contributes to the foregut enteric nervous system. Overall, our studies reveal previously unknown complexities of cell lineage and genetic control mechanisms in the developing mammalian peripheral nervous system.. EC 2.7.1.-; 0; 0; 0.
34. Elsas, T.; Uddman, R.; Sundler, F. Vasoactive intestinal peptide- and nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers in the rat ophthalmic artery have different origins. Graefes-Arch-Clin-Exp-Ophthalmol. 1996 Feb; 234(2): 125-30; ISSN: 0721-832X.
GERMANY. BACKGROUND: Neuropeptides are important in the regulation of vascular functions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the distribution of perivascular nerve fibers containing neuropeptides and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the rat ophthalmic artery. METHODS: Neuropeptide- and NOS-containing nerve fibers in the rat ophthalmic artery were identified using immunocytochemistry following unilateral parasympathectomy (electrocoagulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion) and sympathectomy (superior cervical ganglionectomy). The contralateral artery was used as control. RESULTS: Nerve fibers containing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and NOS were abundant in the wall of the ophthalmic artery. Nerve fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P were scarcer. Following destruction of the sphenopalatine ganglion there was no discernible change in the density of VIP- and NPY-immunoreactive fibers, while the majority of the NOS-containing fibers disappeared. Following sympathectomy the NPY-containing nerve fibers were almost completely eliminated, whereas VIP- and NOS-containing fibers were unaffected. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that the sphenopalatine ganglion is the main contributor of NOS-containing nerve fibers to the rat ophthalmic artery. In contrast, this ganglion apparently is of little importance as a source of VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibers to the artery, demonstrating different origins of the majority of the VIP-and NOS-containing fibers to this artery. The NPY-containing nerve fibers in the rat ophthalmic artery emanate mainly from the superior cervical ganglion.. EC 1.14.13.39; 0; 37221-79-7.
35. ElShamy, W. M.; Linnarsson, S.; Lee, K. F.; Jaenisch, R.; Ernfors, P. Prenatal and postnatal requirements of NT-3 for sympathetic neuroblast survival and innervation of specific targets. Development. 1996 Feb; 122(2): 491-500; ISSN: 0950-1991.
ENGLAND. Postnatal homozygous neurotrophin-3 mutant mice display a loss of about half the sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons (Ernfors, P., Lee, K.-F., Kucera, J. and Jaenisch, R. (1994a) Cell 77, 503-512; Farinas, I., Jones, K. R., Backus, C., Wang, X. Y. and Reichardt, L. F. (1994) Nature 369, 658-661). We found that this loss is caused by excessive apoptosis of sympathetic neuroblasts leading to a failure to generate a normal number of neurons during neurogenesis. NT-3 was also found to be required postnatally. In Nt-3-/- mice, sympathetic fibers failed to invade pineal gland and external ear postnatally; whereas other targets of the external and internal carotid nerves, including the submandibular gland and the iris, displayed a normal complement of sympathetic innervation. Sympathetic fibers of mice carrying one functional copy of the Nt-3 gene (Nt-3+/- mice) invaded the pineal gland, but failed to branch and form a ground plexus. Cultured neonatal sympathetic neurons responded to NT-3 by neurite outgrowth and mRNA upregulation of the NT-3 receptor, trkC. Exogenously administered NT-3 promoted sympathetic growth and rescued the sympathetic target deficit of the mutant mice. We conclude that NT-3 is required for the survival of sympathetic neuroblasts during neurogenesis and for sympathetic innervation and branching in specific targets after birth.. EC 1.14.16.2; EC 2.7.1.-; 0; 0; 0; 144515-70-8.
36. Fahn, S.; Brin, M. F.; Dwork, A. J.; Weiner, W. J.; Goetz, C. G.; Rajput, A. H. Case 1, 1996: rapidly progressive parkinsonism, incontinence, impotency, and levodopa-induced moaning in a patient with multiple myeloma [clinical conference]. Mov-Disord. 1996 May; 11(3): 298-310; ISSN: 0885-3185.
UNITED-STATES. 0; 0.
37. Fateev, M. M.; Nazdrachev, A. D.; Masliukov, P. M.; Strelkov, A. A. [Innervation of internal organs by stellate ganglion neurons in the cat]. Innervatsiia vnutrennikh organov neironami zvezdchatogo ganglia koshki. Dokl-Akad-Nauk. 1996 May; 348(1): 122-3; ISSN: 0869-5652.
RUSSIA.
38. Frontoni, M.; Fiorini, M.; Strano, S.; Cerutti, S.; Giubilei, F.; Urani, C.; Bastianello, S.; Pozzilli, C. Power spectrum analysis contribution to the detection of cardiovascular dysautonomia in multiple sclerosis. Acta-Neurol-Scand. 1996 Apr; 93(4): 241-5; ISSN: 0001-6314.
DENMARK. In multiple sclerosis (MS) autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction is an uncommon, but potentially dangerous event, to which studies of spectral analysis of heart rate variability have not been applied, yet. MATERIAL AND METHODS--We studied 16 patients with definite MS (11 women and 5 men, mean age 30.3 +/- 7.4 yrs., mean EDSS 2.06 +/- 1.42) and 16 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Besides cardiovascular reflex tests (valsalva manoeuvre, deep breathing, lying to standing, Blood Pressure response to standing and sustained handgrip), each underwent spectral analysis of the R-R interval short-term variability at rest and after tilting, to detect three components: very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF). A recent brain MRI was obtained from patients, to compare plaque characteristics with spectral parameters. RESULTS--At cardiovascular reflexes, only four patients (25%) showed an impairment, mostly of a mild degree. VLF and LF at rest were lower in MS subjects than in controls (p < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between spectral parameters and lesion area or localization as detected on MRI. CONCLUSIONS--Spectral analysis could usefully flank reflex tests to detect autonomic subclinical cardiovascular abnormalities.
39. Fukutake, T.; Kita, K.; Sakakibara, R.; Takagi, K.; Tokumaru, Y.; Kojima, S.; Hattori, T.; Hirayama, K. Late-onset hereditary ataxia with global thermoanalgesia and absence of fungiform papillae on the tongue in a Japanese family. Brain. 1996 Jun; 119( Pt 3): 1011-21; ISSN: 0006-8950.
ENGLAND. Two Japanese male siblings, aged 68 and 59 years, affected by late-onset progressive ataxia distinguished by extensive sensory and mild autonomic disturbances are described. They had global thermoanalgesia, positive Romberg signs, sensorineural deafness, canal paresis and ageusia. Their autonomic disturbances consisted of absence of overflow tears with usual stimuli, dysphagia, blood pressure and vasomotor instability, diarrhoea/constipation, and urinary frequency. Sensory nerve action potentials were completely absent, whereas motor conduction velocity was slightly reduced only in the lower extremities. Sural nerve biopsy on the younger brother demonstrated a marked loss of myelinated fibres and a reduction in the number of unmyelinated axons. Tongue histology revealed absence of fungiform papillae and taste buds. Autonomic function tests showed widespread but mild sympathetic and parasympathetic failures. Neuro-imaging studies revealed atrophy of the spinal cord, cerebellum, brainstem and corpus callosum, and enlargement of the lateral, third and fourth ventricles. These siblings represent a previously unrecognized variant of late-onset hereditary spinocerebellar degeneration with global thermoanalgesia and absence of fungiform papillae on the tongue.. 0.
40. Funakoshi, K.; Abe, T.; Kishida, R. The spinal sympathetic preganglionic cell column in the puffer fish, Takifugu niphobles. Cell-Tissue-Res. 1996 Apr; 284(1): 111-6; ISSN: 0302-766X.
GERMANY. Little is known about the spinal sympathetic organization in teleosts. We examined the location of the sympathetic preganglionic neurons with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeling. After HRP application to the sympathetic trunk or celiac ganglion, labeled neurons were found just dorsal - dorsolateral to the central canal. They form a cell column (central autonomic nucleus) at the level of the posterior rootlet of the first spinal nerve to the third spinal nerve. HRP application to the sympathetic trunk produced labeling in almost the entire central autonomic nucleus, but HRP application to the celiac ganglion produced labeling in only the rostral half of the central autonomic nucleus. These results suggest that there is some topographical arrangement in the rostrocaudal part of the central autonomic nucleus. On the other hand, the fact that the sympathetic preganglionic neurons are within a single cell column and have no mediolateral segregation means that the target-related or function-associated mediolateral arrangement found in tetrapods is lacking in this species. We also found some labeling in the central autonomic nucleus after HRP application to the cranial nerves. This may indicate that the preganglionic neurons project to the cranial nerves.. EC 1.11.1.-.
41. Furuzawa, Y.; Ohmori, Y.; Watanabe, T. Anatomical localization of sympathetic postganglionic and sensory neurons innervating the pancreas of the cat. J-Vet-Med-Sci. 1996 Mar; 58(3): 243-8; ISSN: 0916-7250.
JAPAN. Sympathetic postganglionic and sensory neurons were labeled by injecting a mixed solution of horseradish peroxidase and wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase into the splenic portion or the duodenal portion of the cat pancreas. Labeled postganglionic neurons (about 25,000 cells) were located bilaterally in the celiac and cranial mesenteric ganglia (91%), mainly in celiac ganglia, and in the paravertebral ganglia T5 to L7 (9%), especially in T13 to L2. Labeled sensory neurons (about 2,700 cells) were found bilaterally in the dorsal root ganglia T3 to L5, chiefly in T10 to L1. Some differences were found in the localization of labeled postganglionic and sensory neurons between the two portions of the pancreas. Injection in to the splenic portion revealed more labeled neurons in ganglia on the left side, while injection into the duodenal portion gave rise to a greater number of labeled neurons on the right side. Paravertebral and dorsal root ganglion cells innervating the splenic portion were concentrated in fewer ganglia than those supplying the duodenal portion. Compared to the splenic portion, the duodenal portion tended to be innervated by more cranially located neurons in paravertebral and dorsal root ganglia. These neurons probably control the secretion of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas, but the differences in the localization of the labeled neurons between the two portions may be related to the different intraabdominal positions of the two portions of the pancreas.. 0.
42. Galanakis, D.; Ganellin, C. R.; Malik, S.; Dunn, P. M. Synthesis and pharmacological testing of dequalinium analogues as blockers of the apamin-sensitive Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel: variation of the length of the alkylene chain. J-Med-Chem. 1996 Aug 30; 39(18): 3592-5; ISSN: 0022-2623.
UNITED-STATES. Dequalinium is a potent and selective blocker of the small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ (SKCa) channel in rat sympathetic neurones. Analogues of dequalinium possessing 3-6, 8, 10, and 12 methylene groups in the linking chain have been synthesized and tested for inhibition of the afterhyperpolarization in rat sympathetic neurones. The compounds having a 5-12-carbon chain showed very little variation in their activity as SKCa channel blockers. The analogues possessing four and three methylenes exhibited 3- and 8-fold lower potency, respectively, compared with dequalinium. These results are discussed in the context of possible modes of binding of the compounds to the SKCa channel.. 0; 24345-16-2; 6707-58-0; 7440-70-2.
43. Gibbins, I. L.; Matthew, S. E. Dendritic morphology of presumptive vasoconstrictor and pilomotor neurons and their relations with neuropeptide-containing preganglionic fibres in lumbar sympathetic ganglia of guinea-pigs. Neuroscience. 1996 Feb; 70(4): 999-1012; ISSN: 0306-4522.
UNITED-STATES. We have used intracellular dye-filling combined with multiple-labelling immunofluorescence to examine the dendritic morphology of neurons and their relations with neuropeptide-containing preganglionic terminals in the lumbar sympathetic chain of guinea-pigs. Presumptive vasoconstrictor neurons with immunoreactivity for both tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y dendritic fields that were significantly smaller, on average, than those of presumptive pilomotor neurons containing immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase but not to neuropeptide Y. However, there was considerable variation in the sizes of the dendritic fields of the vasoconstrictor neurons. Preganglionic nerve terminals containing immunoreactivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide, but not to substance P, only surrounded cell bodies of vasoconstrictor neurons containing immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y. In most cases, the neuropeptide-containing preganglionic terminals were not associated closely with the distal dendrites of these neurons. Few neuropeptide-containing terminals were associated closely with either the cell bodies or dendrites of the pilomotor neurons. These results show that there is a considerable range in the size of dendritic trees of sympathetic final motor neurons. Some of this variation is related to the pathways within which the neurons lie, so that presumptive pilomotor neurons generally are larger than presumptive vasoconstrictor neurons. The marked variation in size of vasoconstrictor neurons raises the possibility that there may be a size dependent recruitment of these neurons, similar to that seen in pools of spinal motor neurons. The distribution of the peptide-containing preganglionic endings suggests that they would act predominantly at the cell body and proximal dendrites of the final motor neurons.. 0.
44. Goldstein, D. S.; McRae, A.; Holmes, C.; Dalakas, M. C. Autoimmune autonomic failure in a patient with myeloma-associated Shy-Drager syndrome. Clin-Auton-Res. 1996 Feb; 6(1): 17-21; ISSN: 0959-9851.
ENGLAND. We report here the case of a patient with the Shy-Drager syndrome and multiple myeloma who had evidence consistent with a central neural autoimmune basis for sympathetic autonomic failure. Autonomic function testing showed no recordable peroneal skeletal muscle sympathoneural traffic, normal arterial norepinephrine (NE) spillover during supine rest and no increment in NE spillover during exposure to lower body negative pressure. The patient's cerebrospinal fluid and serum contained an immunoglobulin G that bound to rat locus ceruleus (LC) in an in vitro test system. The myeloma protein was of the lambda subtype and bound in the rat LC, without binding in the substantia nigra, as demonstrated with anti-lambda antiserum. Since in this case the monoclonal antibody produced by the myeloma bound specifically to LC cells, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that in this patient the Shy-Drager syndrome may have had an immune-mediated basis.. 0; 0; 0.
45. Griggs, W. D.; Hanyu, Y.; Matsumoto, G. Cultured giant fiber lobe of squid expresses three distinct potassium channel activities in selective combinations. J-Membr-Biol. 1996 Jul; 152(1): 25-37; ISSN: 0022-2631.
UNITED-STATES. Neurons from the giant fiber lobe (GFL) of squid Loligo bleekeri were dissociated and cultured. The ionic currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp methods. The sodium current and the noninactivating potassium current like those elicited by the giant axon were among the currents expressed in axonal bulbs and bulblike structures upon dissociation. Meanwhile axonless cell bodies did not elicit such currents. Axonless cell bodies and some bulblike structures elicited two kinds of inactivating potassium currents, the slow- and the fast-inactivating current, which differed in their inactivation kinetics and pharmacology. Within 24 hr of plating, the current composition remained the same. While the noninactivating current was not sensitive to 4-aminopyridine, the two inactivating currents were sensitive, the slow-inactivating current being more sensitive. Selective combinations of the sodium current and the three potassium currents expressed in different structures of the acutely dissociated GFL could have resulted from cellular control of synthesis and transportation of the channel proteins to the somatic and the axonal membrane. The sodium current and the noninactivating potassium current could be recorded from some axonless cell bodies maintained in culture for over three days, indicating that the separation of the giant axon from its somata could result in the transportation of the channels normally expressed on the giant axon membrane to the somatic membrane.. 0; 0; 504-24-5; 7440-09-7; 7440-23-5.
46. Gupta, V. K. Painless Horner's syndrome in cluster headache [letter]. J-Neurol-Neurosurg-Psychiatry. 1996 Apr; 60(4): 462-3; ISSN: 0022-3050.
ENGLAND.
47. Hagay, Z.; Weissman, A. Management of diabetic pregnancy complicated by coronary artery disease and neuropathy. Obstet-Gynecol-Clin-North-Am. 1996 Mar; 23(1): 205-20; ISSN: 0889-8545.
UNITED-STATES. Various manifestations of diabetic neuropathy may complicate pregnancies of young diabetic patients. Of all forms of diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and, in particular, gastropathy, may cause the most devastating complications. Because neuropathy is a common abnormality in young asymptomatic diabetic women, screening for this disorder may be advisable and can be accomplished by relatively simple and noninvasive tests. Screening is best performed before conception or early in pregnancy, because pregnancy itself and its possible complications later modify the autonomic nervous function tests and make testing unreliable. Practitioners and obstetricians who provide care and counseling to young diabetic patients should be familiar with the risks and consequences to maternal and fetal health that may be imposed by the different forms of neuropathy. Moderate-to-severe autonomic dysfunction may be considered a relative contraindication to pregnancy, especially if gastropathy is part of the clinical presentation. The management dilemmas and high mortality and morbidity associated with symptomatic diabetic neuropathy may justify the addition of a new independent class, class N (neuropathy), to the current classification systems for diabetes in pregnancy.
48. Hainfellner, J. A.; Kristoferitsch, W.; Lassmann, H.; Bernheimer, H.; Neisser, A.; Drlicek, M.; Beer, F.; Budka, H. T-cell-mediated ganglionitis associated with acute sensory neuronopathy. Ann-Neurol. 1996 Apr; 39(4): 543-7; ISSN: 0364-5134.
UNITED-STATES. A 67-year-old man presented with acute painful sensory loss, areflexia, ataxia, urinary retention, and severe constipation and became unable to walk within 2 weeks. He died suddenly 5 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Autopsy revealed widespread inflammation of sensory and autonomic ganglia with immunocytochemical evidence of a CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxic attack against ganglion neurons. This observation suggests a novel pathogenetic mechanism of immune-mediated human ganglion cell damage comparable to mechanisms operating in polymyositis.
49. Hannan, A. J.; Henke, R. C.; Weinberger, R. P.; Sentry, J. W.; Jeffrey, P. L. Differential induction and intracellular localization of SCG10 messenger RNA is associated with neuronal differentiation. Neuroscience. 1996 Jun; 72(4): 889-900; ISSN: 0306-4522.
UNITED-STATES. The differentiation of neurons involves the establishment of distinct molecular compartments which regulate neuronal shape and function. This requires targeting of specific gene products to growth-associated regions of the neuron. We have investigated the temporal and spatial regulation of SCG10 gene expression during neuronal differentiation. There are two SCG10 messenger RNAs, 1 and 2 kg in length, which encode the same growth-associated protein. These messenger RNAs were found to be differentially regulated during the onset of neurite outgrowth in early rat cerebellum development. In PC12 cells, the two SCG10 messenger RNAs were shown to be differentially induced by nerve growth factor. Regulation of the 2 kb messenger RNA, but not the 1 kb messenger RNA, is dependent on the differentiation of PC12 cells, indicating that post-transcriptional regulation of SCG10 expression during neurite outgrowth. Spatial regulation of the 2 kb SCG10 messenger RNA distribution during brain development was examined by in situ hybridization. The 2 kb messenger RNA was found to be localized to the neuronal pole where outgrowth was occurring, within differentiating neurons in vivo. Intracellular localization of SCG10 messenger RNA was also observed in differentiating primary cultured neurons, with the 2 kb messenger RNA transported into growing neurites during the development of neuronal polarity. In neurons which had developed polarity, the 2 kb SCG10 messenger RNA was consistently found in the cell body and axon. This study demonstrates both temporal and spatial post-transcriptional regulation of SCG10 expression which is associated with neurite outgrowth. The directed transport and positional translation of SCG10 messenger RNA provide a potential mechanism for protein targeting and the creation of molecular compartments during neuronal differentiation.. 0; 0; 0.
50. Havel, P. J.; Valverde, C. Autonomic mediation of glucagon secretion during insulin-induced hypoglycemia in rhesus monkeys. Diabetes. 1996 Jul; 45(7): 960-6; ISSN: 0012-1797.
UNITED-STATES. Autonomic activation mediates the majority of the increase of glucagon secretion during insulin-induced hypoglycemia in several species including dogs, mice, and rats. However, the role of the autonomic nervous system to increase glucagon during hypoglycemia in humans remains controversial, and investigations in nonhuman primates have not been previously conducted. The autonomic contribution to glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia in a nonhuman primate was examined by two independent pharmacological approaches. Glucagon responses to clamped insulin-induced hypoglycemia were compared in conscious rhesus monkeys in the presence or absence of ganglionic blockade with trimethaphan, or during combined muscarinic and adrenergic receptor blockade with atropine, propranolol, and tolazoline. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia (plasma glucose = 1.9 +/- 0.1 mmol/l) activated parasympathetic nerves to the pancreas as assessed by increased plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels (delta = 135.0 +/- 36.8 pmol/l, P < 0.01), produced sympathoadrenal activation as assessed by elevations of plasma epinephrine (EPI) (delta = 22.3 +/- 2.95 nmol/l, P < 0.0005) and norepinephrine (NE) (delta = 3.72 +/- 0.77 mmol/l, P < 0.0025) and increased plasma immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) (delta = 920 +/- 294 ng/l, P < 0.025). Nicotinic ganglionic blockade with trimethaphan prevented parasympathetic (deltaPP = 16.5 +/- 16.3 pmol/l, P < 0.01 vs. control) and sympathoadrenal (deltaEPI = 1.52 +/- 0.98 nmol/l; deltaNE = -0.62 +/- 0.24 mmol/l, both P < 0.0025 vs. control) activation during hypoglycemia and inhibited the IRG response by 70% (delta = 278 +/- 67 ng/l, P < 0.025 vs. control). Combined muscarinic and adrenergic receptor blockade reduced parasympathetic activation (deltaPP = 48.3 +/- 16.3 pmol/l, P < 0.01 vs. control) and inhibited the IRG response by a similar degree to ganglionic blockade (deltaIRG = 284 +/- 60 ng/l, P < 0.025 vs. control). These results demonstrate by two independent pharmacological approaches that autonomic activation makes a substantial contribution to increased glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia of approximately 2.0 mmol/l in a species of nonhuman primate.. 0; 0; 0; 11061-68-0; 51-41-2; 51-55-8; 525-66-6; 59-98-3; 59763-91-6; 7187-66-8; 9007-92-5.
51. Heafield, M. T.; Gammage, M. D.; Nightingale, S.; Williams, A. C. Idiopathic dysautonomia treated with intravenous gammaglobulin. Lancet. 1996 Jan 6; 347(8993): 28-9; ISSN: 0140-6736.
ENGLAND. BACKGROUND: A previously healthy 23-year-old man presented with a short history of abdominal pain and diarrhoea followed by blurred vision, severe postural hypotension, reduced sweating and unremitting fever. METHODS: Examination revealed fixed dilated pupils, impaired sweating and postural hypotension. Clinical and neurophysiological examination showed no motor or sensory deficit. A diagnosis of idiopathic autonomic neuropathy was made. He became gravely ill with profound life-threatening hypotension and a prolonged ileus. FINDINGS: Within 36 h of receiving intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) his pupillary areflexia and severe hypotension resolved. 2 weeks later the autonomic failure recurred but again responded to treatment with IVGG. IVGG is a recognised treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome. INTERPRETATION: This case report demonstrates that IVGG is also effective in the rare pure dysautonomic variant.. 0.
52. Heierli, P.; Bonnard, C.; Favarger, N.; Egloff, D. V. [Reflex sympathetic algodystrophy]. L'algodystrophie sympathique reflexe. Rev-Med-Suisse-Romande. 1996 Mar; 116(3): 197-203; ISSN: 0035-3655.
SWITZERLAND.
53. Helke, C. J.; Yang, L. Interactions and coexistence of neuropeptides and serotonin in spinal autonomic systems. Ann-N-Y-Acad-Sci. 1996 Mar 22; 780: 185-92; ISSN: 0077-8923.
UNITED-STATES. 0; 24305-27-9; 33507-63-0; 50-67-9; 86933-74-6.
54. Hellweg, R.; Baethge, C.; Hartung, H. D.; Bruckner, M. K.; Arendt, T. NGF level in the rat sciatic nerve is decreased after long-term consumption of ethanol. Neuroreport. 1996 Feb 29; 7(3): 777-80; ISSN: 0959-4965.
ENGLAND. Long-term effects of ethanol consumption on endogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) level were investigated in NGF-producing target organs and tissues of the peripheral nervous system. Rats were treated with ethanol (20% v/v) for 9 months, detoxified for an additional 2 weeks and kept without ethanol for an additional month prior to sacrifice. NGF level in the NGF-producing target tissues such as iris and submandibular gland and in the trigeminal ganglion and superior cervical ganglion, where NGF-responsive perikarya are located, did not differ significantly from corresponding controls. In contrast, NGF level in the sciatic nerve was significantly reduced by 54%. This indicates that long-term ethanol consumption affects retrograde axonal transport of the neurotrophic factor NGF, suggesting that NGF deficiency may be part of the pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathy due to chronic alcoholism.. 0; 0; 64-17-5.
55. Herlitze, S.; Garcia, D. E.; Mackie, K.; Hille, B.; Scheuer, T.; Catterall, W. A. Modulation of Ca2+ channels by G-protein beta gamma subunits. Nature. 1996 Mar 21; 380(6571): 258-62; ISSN: 0028-0836.
ENGLAND. Calcium ions entering cells through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels initiate rapid release of neurotransmitters and secretion of hormones. Ca2+ currents can be inhibited in many cell types by neurotransmitters acting through G proteins via a membrane-delimited pathway independently of soluble intracellular messengers. Inhibition is typically caused by a positive shift in the voltage dependence and a slowing of channel activation and is relieved by strong depolarization resulting in facilitation of Ca2+ currents. This pathway regulates the activity of N-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels, which are localized in presynaptic terminals and participate in neurotransmitter release. Synaptic transmission is inhibited by neurotransmitters through this mechanism. G-protein alpha subunits confer specificity in receptor coupling, but it is not known whether the G alpha or G beta gamma subunits are responsible for modulation of Ca2+ channels. Here we report that G beta gamma subunits can modulate Ca2+ channels. Transfection of G beta gamma into cells expressing P/Q-type Ca2+ channels induces modulation like that caused by activation of G protein-coupled receptors, but G alpha subunits do not. Similarly, injection or expression of G beta gamma subunits in sympathetic ganglion neurons induces facilitation and occludes modulation of N-type channels by noradrenaline, but G alpha subunits do not. In both cases, the G gamma subunit is ineffective by itself, but overexpression of exogenous G beta subunits is sufficient to cause channel modulation.. 0; 0; 0; 51-41-2.
56. Holder, L. E. Diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy [letter; comment]. J-Hand-Surg-Am. 1996 Mar; 21(2): 325; ISSN: 0363-5023.
Note: Comment on: J Hand Surg [Am] 1995 May;20(3):458-63.
UNITED-STATES.
57. Iani, C.; Attanasio, A.; Manfredi, M. Paroxysmal staring and masticatory automatisms during postural hypotension in a patient with multiple system atrophy. Epilepsia. 1996 Jul; 37(7): 690-3; ISSN: 0013-9580.
UNITED-STATES. PURPOSE: We studied a 51-year-old man with multiple system atrophy and autonomic insufficiency. He had repeated episodes of loss of contact, staring, and masticatory automatisms. METHODS: Blood pressure during these events documented a systolic pressure of 60 mm Hg. Cardiovascular reflex tests provided evidence of autonomic failure. Head computed tomography (CT) revealed moderate, diffuse cortical and cerebellar atrophy. RESULTS: These events were strictly related to blood pressure decreases and could be reproduced consistently by having the patient sit up after a meal. Ictal polygraphic recordings showed EEG changes consistent with anoxia, preceded by sudden hypotension with fixed heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral anoxia during a syncopal attack may therefore precipitate transient, sudden neurologic dysfunction that closely mimics complex partial seizures. Masticatory automatisms may represent a release phenomenon resulting from inactivation of neocortical structures by cerebral anoxia or reticular disconnection.
58. Ikeda, T.; Iwase, S.; Sugiyama, Y.; Matsukawa, T.; Mano, T.; Doi, M.; Kikura, M.; Ikeda, K. Stellate ganglion block is associated with increased tibial nerve muscle sympathetic activity in humans. Anesthesiology. 1996 Apr; 84(4): 843-50; ISSN: 0003-3022.
UNITED-STATES. BACKGROUND: Left stellate ganglion block has been shown to increase heart rate and blood pressure, possible because of blockage of afferent vagal fibers from arterial baroreceptors in the aortic arch. Because efferent muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is influenced by the arterial baroreflex, the hypothesis that left stellate ganglion block increases efferent MSNA recorded from the tibial nerve of humans was tested. METHODS: Twenty healthy male volunteers were sequentially assigned to one of three groups: stellate ganglion block (n = 10), in which 7 ml 1% mepivacaine was injected into the left stellate ganglion; placebo (n = 5), in which 7 ml of saline was injected into the left stellate ganglion; and intramuscular injection (n = 5), in which 7 ml mepivacaine was injected into the left deltoid muscle. Direct intraneural microneurographic recording with a tungsten microelectrode was used to record MSNA in the left tibial nerve. MSNA, heart rate, and blood pressure were recorded before and after injection in all groups. An additional five volunteers were studied with transthoracic echocardiography to examine the effect of stellate ganglion block on preload changes. RESULTS: Tibial nerve MSNA increased after mepivacaine injection to the left stellate ganglion but was unchanged after saline injection to the left stellate ganglion or mepivacaine injection into the deltoid muscle. Heart rate increased significantly after the left stellate ganglion block but did not change significantly after saline injection to the left stellate ganglion or after mepivacaine injection to the deltoid muscle. Systemic blood pressure did not change significantly in all groups. Left ventricular end-diastolic area and left ventricular end-diastolic circumference did not change after stellate ganglion block. CONCLUSIONS: Tibial nerve MSNA increased during left stellate ganglion block with mepivacaine.. 51-41-2; 96-88-8.
59. Isaacson, L. G.; Schwenk, K. L.; Billieu, S. C.; Crutcher, K. A. Sympathetic response to intracranial NGF infusion in the absence of afferent input: axonal sprouting without neurotransmitter production. Exp-Neurol. 1996 Sep; 141(1): 57-66; ISSN: 0014-4886.
UNITED-STATES. The anatomical relationships between postganglionic sympathetic neurons, their targets, and their afferent inputs provide an opportunity to experimentally distinguish between the anterograde and the retrograde influences on neuronal responsivity to growth factors. In the present study, the effect of decentralization of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) on the NGF-induced sympathetic sprouting response by mature cerebrovascular axons was assessed in young adult rats. Growth by the perivascular axons associated with the intradural segment of the internal carotid artery was quantified using electron microscopy and changes in norepinephrine (NE) levels were monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. The mean number of perivascular axons observed in the treatment group receiving decentralization of the SCG prior to NGF infusion was not significantly different from that in NGF-infused cases, suggesting that central input was not required for axonal growth of intact sympathetic neurons. However, decentralization prevented the typical NGF-induced increase in perivascular NE associated with the ICA, indicating that afferent input was necessary for the neurotransmitter increase to occur. Thus, afferent input appears to play a role in the regulation of neurotransmitter expression of the sprouted axons but is not required for trophic factor-induced axonal growth.. 0; 0; 51-41-2.
60. Isozaki, E.; Naito, A.; Horiguchi, S.; Kawamura, R.; Hayashida, T.; Tanabe, H. Early diagnosis and stage classification of vocal cord abductor paralysis in patients with multiple system atrophy. J-Neurol-Neurosurg-Psychiatry. 1996 Apr; 60(4): 399-402; ISSN: 0022-3050.
ENGLAND. OBJECTIVES: Vocal cord abductor paralysis (VCAP) is a life threatening complication which may cause nocturnal sudden death in patients with multiple system atrophy. However, the early diagnosis of VCAP is often difficult to make on routine laryngoscopy performed during wakefulness, as stridor, which is the sole symptom of VCAP in the early stage, develops only during sleep. The aim was to investigate laryngeal dysfunction in patients with multiple system atrophy while awake and asleep. METHODS: Seven patients with multiple system atrophy with nocturnal stridor and five control patients were studied. Vocal cord movement was analysed by laryngoscopy while the patients were awake and also during sleep induced by intravenous diazepam. RESULTS: When awake, for the seven patients with multiple system atrophy normal movement of the vocal cords occurred in three, mild abduction restriction in three, and paradoxical movement in one. When asleep, however, all showed obvious paradoxical movement with high pitched inspiratory stridor. In controls, there were no differences in the vocal cord movement between wakefulness and sleep. From these findings, VCAP could be divided into four stages: stage 0 (normal) with normal vocal cord movement during both wakefulness and sleep, stage 1 (mild VCAP) with normal movement during wakefulness and paradoxical movement during sleep, stage 2 (moderately severe VCAP) with abduction restriction during wakefulness and paradoxical movement during sleep, and stage 3 (severe VCAP) with an almost midline position for the vocal cords during both wakefulness and sleep. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngoscopy during sleep can disclose subclinical VCAP, making an early diagnosis of VCAP in patients with multiple system atrophy. Stage 2 of VCAP seems to be a suitable stage for tracheostomy in patients with multiple system atrophy.
61. Jones, C. M. ABC of work related disorders. Occupational hearing loss and vibration induced disorders. BMJ. 1996 Jul 27; 313(7051): 223-6; ISSN: 0959-8138.
ENGLAND.
62. Jordan, D. R.; Yu, E. The ciliary ganglion. Ophthalmic-Surg-Lasers. 1996 Jan; 27(1): 77-8; ISSN: 1082-3069.
UNITED-STATES.
63. Josephs, L. G.; Menzoian, J. O. Technical considerations in endoscopic cervicothoracic sympathectomy. Arch-Surg. 1996 Apr; 131(4): 355-9; ISSN: 0004-0010.
UNITED-STATES. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technique and results of videoendoscopic cervicothoracic sympathectomy in patients who have reflex sympathetic dystrophy or hyperhidrosis of the upper extremity. DESIGN: Clinical case series. The cohort underwent diagnostic evaluation and surgical intervention, and had a mean postoperative follow-up of 14 months. SETTING: An urban, university-affiliated tertiary referral medical center. PATIENTS: A consecutive, referred sample. Seven of the nine patients had reflex sympathetic dystrophy and two had bilateral upper extremity hyperhidrosis. Five were women and four were men, with a mean age of 44 years. INTERVENTIONS: Ten thoracoscopic sympathectomies, encompassing the lower third of the stellate ganglion to the fourth thoracic ganglion, in nine patients. The technique is performed under general anesthesia, using three 1-cm incisions for instrument placement. Patients had bilateral hand temperature probes intraoperatively. Six of the procedures were in the left hemithorax, four in the right. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relief of the symptoms for which the patient was referred. Perfection and alteration of the technique also were measured. RESULTS: The average operating time was 91 minutes. The average length of hospital stay was 3.5 days. The mean increase in skin temperature was 2.4 degrees C. Nine of 10 patients had partial or complete relief of symptoms. One patient with severe dystrophic reflex sympathetic dystrophy has persistent symptoms. One patient had a pneumothorax for 48 hours. Horner's syndrome did not develop in any patient. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic cervicothoracic sympathectomy is an effective, minimally invasive therapy for upper extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy and hyperhidrosis.
64. Kamal, A. Assessment of autonomic function using complex demodulation and posture entrainment techniques: an application to normal subjects and diabetic patients. Front-Med-Biol-Eng. 1996; 7(1): 1-10; ISSN: 0921-3775.
NETHERLANDS. The assessment of autonomic nervous systems (sympathetic and parasympathetic) using the method of complex demodulation and posture entrainment are presented. The heart rate variability signals were derived from the ECG of normal subjects and diabetic patients in both supine and standing positions. The method of complex demodulation is employed on the heart rate variability data for both groups. Two significant bands in the heart rate variability spectrum were investigated by this technique. The amplitude of the high frequency band (0.181-0.4 Hz) showed the parasympathetic changes in normal subjects and, to a lesser extent, in the diabetic patients. The amplitude of the low frequency band (0.03-0.15 Hz) showed the influence of sympathetic changes in both groups. The complex demodulation method indicated the effect of high frequency and low frequency bands on both divisions of autonomic function in regulating the heart rate variability in both normal subjects and diabetic patients. In the supine position, the parasympathetic and sympathetic were balanced. On standing (posture entrainment), the high frequency band showed a decrease in amplitude due to decreased parasympathetic activity, while the low frequency band showed an increase in amplitude, which indicated an increase in sympathetic activity. These patterns were repeated in both normal subjects and diabetic patients. It seems that the use of posture entrainment combined with the complex demodulation method is significant to characterize, assess and quantify the autonomic function in health and disease.
65. Kanayama, N.; She, L.; Maehara, K.; Kajiwara, Y.; Terao, T. Induction of HELLP syndrome-like biochemical parameters by stimulation of the celiac ganglion in rats. J-Hypertens. 1996 Apr; 14(4): 453-9; ISSN: 0263-6352.
ENGLAND. OBJECTIVE: An animal model of HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome was developed by means of stimulation of the celiac ganglion in rats. METHODS: The celiac ganglion in pregnant or non-pregnant rats was exposed to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) (500 micrograms/50 microliters), potassium chloride (0.2 mol/l/50 microliters), or saline solution (50 microliters). In another group of rats the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta was exposed to LPS (500 micrograms/50 microliters). Blood pressure, platelet count, hematocrit, serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine were measured for 6 h after treatment. Histopathologic studies were also performed in these rats. RESULTS: A significant increase in blood pressure, AST, ALT, LDH, norepinephrine, and epinephrine was found in the endotoxin-treated pregnant rats compared with control rats treated with the saline solution. A significant decrease in platelet count was found in endotoxin-treated pregnant rats compared with the control rats. A significant increase in blood pressure, AST, norepinephrine, and epinephrine was found in the potassium chloride-treated pregnant rats compared with control rats. Blood pressure and biochemical parameters remained unchanged in the pregnant rats treated with LPS at the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta, as in those treated with saline at the celiac ganglion. Histologic examination of liver tissues treated with LPS or potassium chloride showed varying degrees of ischemic necrosis of hepatocytes similar to that observed in the human HELLP syndrome. Blood pressure, biochemical parameters, and histologic findings in non-pregnant rats were almost the same as those in pregnant rats. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that exogenous stimulation of the celiac ganglion causes an increase in the blood pressure and liver ischemia, resulting in HELLP syndrome-like disease in pregnant and non-pregnant rats.. 0.
66. Kim, J. H.; Ro, Y. B. Role of muscarinic receptors in ganglionic transmission in rabbits. J-Auton-Nerv-Syst. 1996 Jan 5; 56(3): 201-6; ISSN: 0165-1838.
NETHERLANDS. The role of muscarinic receptors in sympathetic ganglionic impulse transmission has not been clearly recognized in whole animal studies. However, in certain situations, the muscarinic receptors may participate in modulating blood pressure, and there is thus some evidence for their role in ganglionic transmission. Pirenzepine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, elicited no significant changes in renal nerve activity (RNA) and blood pressure (BP) in normal rabbits; however, chlorisondamine, a ganglionic nicotinic receptor antagonist, caused marked decreases in RNA and BP in normal rabbits, reaching the nadir in 2 to 3 min and gradually recovering thereafter. In the presence of chlorisondamine, pirenzepine decreased both RNA and BP, but the recovery of chlorisondamine-induced decreases of both RNA and BP was attenuated by pirenzepine. McN-A-343, a muscarinic receptor agonist, caused a transient hypotensive effect. In the presence of chlorisondamine, McN-A-343 increased both RNA and BP in dose-related fashion, and the dose-response curves of McN-A-343 shifted to the right in the presence of pirenzepine. These results suggest that in sympathetic ganglia blockade of ganglionic nicotinic receptors activates muscarinic receptors which participate in regulation of peripheral sympathetic nerve activity and of blood pressure.. 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 28797-61-7; 55-45-8; 59-42-7; 69-27-2.
67. Klimaschewski, L.; Grohmann, I.; Heym, C. Target-dependent plasticity of galanin and vasoactive intestinal peptide in the rat superior cervical ganglion after nerve lesion and re-innervation. Neuroscience. 1996 May; 72(1): 265-72; ISSN: 0306-4522.
UNITED-STATES. The expression of the neuropeptides galanin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is increased in subpopulations of sympathetic neurons after axotomy of the rat superior cervical ganglion. We investigated whether postganglionic neurons innervating different targets show a prevalence for any of the two peptides in response to carotid nerve lesion. Before the respective postganglionic axons were crushed close to the ganglion, postganglionic neurons projecting either to the iris (through the internal carotid nerve) or to the submandibular gland (through both carotid branches) were identified by the retrograde tracer Fast Blue. Galanin and VIP immunoreactivities were demonstrated two and 30 days after crush and after successful regeneration of the lesioned neurons (60 days). In control ganglia, both peptides were detected in a few gland- but not in iris-projecting neurons. However, two days after crush of the respective carotid nerves, 14% of neurons within the iris and 46% within the gland population were immunoreactive for galanin. The percentage of neurons immunoreactive for VIP was significantly lower in both populations: only 3.5% of neurons projecting to the iris and 23% of the gland-projecting neuron population exhibited this peptide. After 30 days, the percentage of galanin- and VIP-positive neurons projecting to the submandibular gland was reduced (24% and 5.7%, respectively), whereas the proportion of galanin-immunoreactive neurons further increased within the iris population (55%), indicating that some neurons express galanin at later stages after the lesion. At 60 days after the crush, the percentage of galanin- or VIP-immunoreactive neurons had decreased to control levels within those neuron populations that re-innervated the iris or submandibular gland, although the total number of neurons exhibiting galanin or VIP was still increased within the ganglion, suggesting that re-establishment of target contact may play a role in down-regulation of both peptides.. 37221-79-7; 88813-36-9.
68. Kluin, K. J.; Gilman, S.; Lohman, M.; Junck, L. Characteristics of the dysarthria of multiple system atrophy. Arch-Neurol. 1996 Jun; 53(6): 545-8; ISSN: 0003-9942.
UNITED-STATES. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the dysarthria in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). DESIGN: Motor speech examinations, consisting of oral motor, oral agility, and perceptual speech analysis, were performed on 46 patients with MSA. SETTING: University department of neurology referral center. RESULTS: All patients had dysarthria with combinations of hypokinesia, ataxia, or spasticity. Thirty-two patients had all 3 components, 13 had 2 components, and 1 had only 1 component. In most patients the hypokinetic components were the most severe. Hypokinetic components predominated in 22 patients (48%), whereas ataxic components predominated in 16 (35%), and spastic components in 5 (11%). In 1 patient (2%) the hypokinetic and spastic components were equal and greater than the ataxic components, and in 1 patient (2%) the hypokinetic and ataxic components were equal and greater than the spastic components. One patient (2%) had only ataxic dysarthria. The predominant type of dysarthria corresponded well to the subtype of MSA. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a mixed dysarthria with combinations of hypokinetic, ataxic, and spastic components is consistent with both the overall clinical and the neuropathologic changes in MSA. Motor speech examination can provide helpful information in evaluating patients who might have MSA.
69. Konishi, T. Developmental and activity-dependent changes in K+ currents in satellite glial cells in mouse superior cervical ganglion. Brain-Res. 1996 Feb 5; 708(1-2): 7-15; ISSN: 0006-8993.
NETHERLANDS. Voltage-gated K+ currents were recorded from freshly dissociated satellite glial cells wrapping around ganglion cells in mouse superior cervical ganglion (SCG) by whole-cell recordings of patch clamp techniques. Both inward and outward K+ currents during membrane hyperpolarization and depolarization were observed in these glial cells. The current-voltage relation of these K+ currents became almost linear in cells obtained more than 4 weeks after birth. The magnitude of the density of inward K+ currents, which were elicited during membrane hyperpolarization and were eliminated by external barium, progressively increased during the first month after birth. This developmental increase in the magnitude of inward K+ current density was not affected by decentralization of SCG done by transection of cervical sympathetic trunk (CST) 5 days after birth. In adult mice, the magnitude of the inward K+ current density decreased after chronic conduction blockade of CST by local application of tetrodotoxin. On the other hand, the magnitude of the inward K+ current density increased after daily intraperitoneal injection of reserpine and this increase was abolished by pre-treatment of decentralization of SCG. These results suggested that preganglionic innervation was not prerequisite for developmental increase in the inward K+ currents and preganglionic neuronal activity upregulates the inward K+ currents in adult mice. Neuronal regulation of glial K+ channel expression would assist in K+ clearance from periganglionic space to maintain neuronal activity.. 0; 130-95-0; 4368-28-9; 504-24-5; 7440-39-3.
70. Kostic, N.; Secen, S. [Response of pancreatic polypeptide to a protein test meal in the evaluation of diabetic autonomic neuropathy]. Odgovor pankreaticnog polipeptida na proteinski test obrok u proceni dijabetesne autonomne neuropatije. Med-Pregl. 1996; 49(5-6): 177-9; ISSN: 0025-8105.
YUGOSLAVIA. In normal subjects, the early human pancreatic polypeptide increase induced by food is mainly dependent on vagal activity. Parasympathetic function and plasma human pancreatic polypeptide response to a protein rich meal were evaluated in 105 insulin nondependent diabetic patients: 20 only with autonomic neuropathy (group A), diagnosed by clonidin test and tests of cardiovascular reflexes, 35 patients with neurophysiological evidence of polyneuropathy (group B), 30 patients with autonomic neuropathy and polyneuropathy (group C) and 20 patients without any sign of neuropathy (group D). Plasma human pancreatic polypeptide levels were determined by radioimmunoassay using an anti-human pancreatic polypeptide antiserum. Blood was taken at 0, 45 and 60 minutes after the beginning of the meal. In groups A and C, the meal induced human pancreatic polypeptide increase was significantly lower than in group D (45. min:, 65.8 + 16.2(A), 54.0 + 19.2 pg/ml (C) in regard to 130.0 + 27.6 pg/ml (D); 60, min: 55.2 + 15.6 (A), 37.0 + 11.2 pg/ml (C) in regard to 121.7 + 15.4 pg/ml (D). In group B patients had a marked increase of peptide, similar to that in diabetics without neuropathy. These results suggest that diabetic autonomic neuropathy is associated with the dysfunction of human pancreatic polypeptide secretion and that evaluation of his response to test meal may be a sensitive and simple method for the assessment of parasympathetic impairment in diabetics.. 0; 0; 59763-91-6.
71. Krassioukov, A. V.; Weaver, L. C. Morphological changes in sympathetic preganglionic neurons after spinal cord injury in rats. Neuroscience. 1996 Jan; 70(1): 211-25; ISSN: 0306-4522.
UNITED-STATES. Spinal cord injury results in abnormal sympathetic control of the cardiovascular system, perhaps because of reactions of sympathetic preganglionic neurons to loss of their supraspinal afferent inputs. We investigated morphological changes in sympathetic preganglionic neurons in rats one week after midthoracic spinal cord hemisection or complete transection and one month after complete transection. Morphological changes in adrenal sympathetic preganglionic neurons retrogradely-labelled by cholera toxin were examined as well as changes in other thoracic preganglionic neurons identified by their expression of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase. Reactive astrogliosis around these neurons was determined by assessing changes in immunoreactivity to glial fibrillary acidic protein. Changes in immunoreactivity to the synaptic vesicular protein synaptophysin were also evaluated in these areas. One week after transection, a comparison of sympathetic preganglionic neurons rostral and caudal to the lesion revealed significant loss of dendrites and decreased cell size caudal to the injury. Reactive astrocytes surrounded sympathetic preganglionic neurons as far as six segments below the transection. Constitutive expression of synaptophysin was observed rostral to the cord hemisection and synaptophysin expression was increased caudal to the lesion by seven days after the injury. One month after transection, the dendritic arbor of preganglionic neurons was re-established and the intensity of the reactive gliosis around the preganglionic neurons was diminished throughout the thoracic cord. These findings demonstrate that sympathetic preganglionic neurons undergo significant atrophy within a week after deafferentation and that this reaction is reversed within one month. Reactive astrogliosis could contribute to plastic changes in the neuropil that affect the sympathetic neurons, and the enhanced expression of synaptophysin in the gray matter caudal to a cord injury is consistent with fibre outgrowth leading to new synapse formation. Such re-organization could be one of the mechanisms for disorders in blood pressure control that occur after spinal cord injury.
72. Laghi Pasini, F.; Pastorelli, M.; Beermann, U.; de Candia, S.; Gallo, S.; Blardi, P.; Di Perri, T. Peripheral neuropathy associated with ischemic vascular disease of the lower limbs. Angiology. 1996 Jun; 47(6): 569-77; ISSN: 0003-3197.
UNITED-STATES. This paper deals with the possible identification of somatic and autonomic nerve damage in patients with peripheral obliterative arterial disease (POAD) at different stages of the disease, with a well-reproducible technique like electroneurographic evaluation of nerve conduction. In 64 patients with intermittent claudication, 19 patients with pain at rest, and 7 patients with trophic ulcers, electroneurographic evaluation of motor (tibial and peroneal) and sensory (superficial peroneal and sural) nerve conduction was performed. The median nerve (motor and sensory) was used as control. A severe impairment of sural and superficial peroneal nerve velocities was evident in many claudicant patients and in all patients with pain at rest and trophic ulcers, with a progression in the conduction abnormalities in advanced stages of the disease. Motor nerve conduction showed only minor reductions in patients with claudication and pain at rest, although some of them did show very poor velocity values. In 21 patients with intermittent claudication and sensory nerve abnormalities, the autonomic fibers activity, evaluated by the skin sympathetic response (SSR) test, was significantly depressed, thus suggesting an involvement of the local autonomic system in the ischemic disease. A correlation exists between the severity of the somatic nerve damage and the stage of the vascular insufficiency. However, in the group of claudicant patients, the evidence of similar ischemic threshold (claudication distance) may be associated with a marked difference in the amount of somatic nerve damage. The somatic and autonomic nerve alterations may play a relevant role in the progression of the disease toward critical limb ischemia.
73. Landau, W. M. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy [letter; comment]. Mayo-Clin-Proc. 1996 May; 71(5): 524-5; ISSN: 0025-6196.
Note: Comment on: Mayo Clin Proc 1995 Nov;70(11):1124-6.
UNITED-STATES.
74. Lecci, A.; Patacchini, R.; De Giorgio, R.; Corinaldesi, R.; Theodorsson, E.; Giuliani, S.; Santicioli, P.; Maggi, C. A. Functional, biochemical and anatomical changes in the rat urinary bladder induced by perigangliar injection of colchicine. Neuroscience. 1996 Mar; 71(1): 285-96; ISSN: 0306-4522.
UNITED-STATES. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of blocking the axonal transport of sensory neuropeptides, by local injection of colchicine at pelvic ganglia level, on the sensory and efferent functions mediated by capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent neurons innervating the rat urinary bladder. Bilateral injection of colchicine in the prostatic tissue underneath the pelvic ganglia of male rats induced a time-dependent reduction (maximal at 72 h, 100% reduction) of the in vitro contraction of the bladder strips induced by capsaicin (1 microM). The response to electrical field stimulation was also reduced, although to a lesser extent. The direct contractions induced by substance P (100 nM) or KCl (80 mM) were not affected by colchicine pretreatment. In vivo, perigangliar injection of colchicine (72 h before) greatly increased bladder capacity, and reduced the amplitude of micturition contractions and micturition frequency. Capsaicin-induced plasma protein extravasation was abolished in the urinary bladder and reduced in the distal, but not the proximal ureter of colchicine-treated rats. Topical application of capsaicin onto the urinary bladder or onto the stomach induced a cardiovascular pressor reflex in urethane-anaesthetized, spinalized rats. Colchicine pretreatment reduced (by about 50%) the pressor response elicited by chemonociceptive stimulation of the bladder but not that arising from the stomach. Colchicine pretreatment did not produce overt changes of nerve profiles immunoreactive for calcitonin gene-related peptide- or tachykinin-like material in the rat urinary bladder. A more intense staining of nerve fibres positive for calcitonin-gene related peptide-like immunoreactivity and tachykinin-like immunoreactivity was observed in pelvic ganglia of colchicine-pretreated rats. No changes were detected in the dorsal horns of spinal cord segments where pelvic bladder afferents project (L6-S1). Colchicine pretreatment reduced, but did not abolish, bladder levels of substance P-, neurokinin A-, calcitonin gene-related peptide- and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity. However, vasoactive intestinal peptide-like immunoreactivity levels were not changed. The capsaicin-evoked (1 microM) release of calcitonin gene-related peptide was abolished in capsaicin as well as in colchicine-pretreated animals. The present findings demonstrate that local treatment of pelvic ganglia with colchicine totally eliminates the "efferent" functions of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves in the urinary bladder. Although reduced, tissue levels of sensory neuropeptides are not completely depleted, thus indicating the existence of a releasable versus non-releasable pool. The chemically induced blockade of axoplasmic transport also induces a limited impairment of the sensory function of capsaicin-sensitive afferents, and of the parasympathetic efferent system.. 0; 404-86-4; 64-86-8.
75. Lechevalier, D.; Dubayle, P.; Crozes, P.; Magnin, J.; Gaillard, J. F.; Boyer, B.; Pharaboz, C.; Eulry, F. [Magnetic resonance imaging in the warm and cold forms of algodystrophy of the foot]. L'imagerie par resonance magnetique dans les formes chaudes et froides de l'algodystrophie du pied. J-Radiol. 1996 Jun; 77(6): 411-7; ISSN: 0221-0363.
FRANCE. PURPOSE: To report magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the foot. METHODS: Retrospective study of 22 algodystrophies of the foot, in warm phase in 17 cases, in cold phase in 5. RESULTS: Algodystrophy in warm phase: Bone medullary abnormalities were noted in 17 cases (decrease of signal intensity was found in T1 weighted images, increase of signal intensity in T2 weighted images, in T1 and T2 with fat-saturation, in T1 with gadolinium), located at the increased uptake technetium site in 16 cases. T1 and T2 weighted images with fat-saturation and T1 with fat-saturation after injection of gadolinium were pathological in all cases, T1 was normal in 2 cases. Soft tissues abnormalities were noted in 11 cases, joint effusion in 8 cases, synovial hypertrophy enhanced by gadolinium in 2 cases and a subchondral linear area of hypointense signal on T1 and T2 images was not present after gadolinium injection in 1 case. Six fractures were detected. Algodystrophy in cold phase: no bone edema, no synovial hypertrophy, no joint effusion, no soft tissues abnormalities, no fractures are detected. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the MRI has a considerable value in diagnosis during the warm phase of reflex sympatetic dystrophy of the foot. The normal MRI findings during the cold phase could be important to understand its etiology.
76. Lee, B. Y.; Da Silva, M. C.; Aquino, Chu G.; Herz, B. L. Surgery of the sympathetic nervous system. J-Spinal-Cord-Med. 1996 Jan; 19(1): 20-6; ISSN: 1079-0268.
UNITED-STATES. This article reviews the innervation of the arterial system of the lower extremity, lumbar sympathectomy in vascular surgery, lumbar sympathectomy for digital gangrene and in the prevention of major amputation of the lower extremity and substance P's role in neurogenic inflammatory modulation. Long-term results of lumbar sympathectomy and direct arterial bypass surgery have also been reviewed. In addition to the pilomotor, sudomotor and vasomotor actions of the sympathetic nervous system via its neurotransmitters, the molecular basis of the chronic neurogenic inflammatory reaction have been addressed with special attention to the discovery of substance P in the lumbar sympathetic chain and ganglia of human beings.. 0; 33507-63-0.
77. Lee, H. C.; Coulter, C. L.; Adickes, E. D.; Porterfield, J.; Robertson, D.; Bravo, E.; Pettinger, W. A. Autonomic ganglionitis with severe hypertension, migraine, and episodic but fatal hypotension. Neurology. 1996 Sep; 47(3): 817-21; ISSN: 0028-3878.
UNITED-STATES. We report the clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical features of a severe hypertensive patient with recurrent migraine-induced hypotension. The patient died of migraine-induced vasomotor paralysis despite prompt institutions of fluid and sympathomimetic and parasympatholytic agents. Postmortem study revealed autonomic ganglionitis and neuritis.
78. Levey, M. S.; Jacob, M. H. Changes in the regulatory effects of cell-cell interactions on neuronal AChR subunit transcript levels after synapse formation. J-Neurosci. 1996 Nov 1; 16(21): 6878-85; ISSN: 0270-6474.
UNITED-STATES. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) mediate excitatory synaptic transmission in the chick ciliary ganglion. AChR protein and mRNA levels are increased by both innervation and retrograde signals from target tissues during synapse formation. We now show that AChR alpha3, beta4, and alpha5 subunit transcript levels stop increasing after synaptogenesis. Moreover, maintenance of these mRNA levels requires the continued presence of regulatory signals from both pre- and postganglionic tissues. Unilateral preganglionic denervation or postganglionic axotomy causes declines in alpha3, beta4, and alpha5 transcript levels, ranging from twofold to 3. 5-fold, relative to contralateral control neuron values in newly hatched chicks. The reductions are not merely an injury response; cbeta4-tubulin mRNA levels are not affected by either axotomy or denervation. Further, similar decreases in AChR mRNA levels are observed after local application of colchicine to the postganglionic nerves, which blocks fast transport without disturbing axonal integrity. These results also demonstrate a developmental change in the regulatory effects of target tissues. Reductions in alpha5 mRNA levels caused by axotomy or colchicine treatment after peripheral synapse formation contrast with the lack of an effect on alpha5 when synapse formation with the target tissue is prevented. The ability of the target tissue to regulate alpha5 mRNA levels after synaptogenesis is interesting, because this subunit may be necessary for the formation of high-conductance AChRs. The specific regulatory effects of target tissues and inputs at different developmental stages demonstrate that neurons continually depend on signals from their pre- and postsynaptic tissues to accomplish mature levels of AChR subunit expression and optimal functioning of that neuronal circuit.. 0; 0; 64-86-8.
79. Lichtensteiger, W.; Hanimann, B.; Siegrist, W.; Eberle, A. N. Region- and stage-specific patterns of melanocortin receptor ontogeny in rat central nervous system, cranial nerve ganglia and sympathetic ganglia. Brain-Res-Dev-Brain-Res. 1996 Jan 22; 91(1): 93-110; ISSN: 0165-3806.
NETHERLANDS. Observations on developmental actions of melanotropic peptides in nervous system have been difficult to interpret in the absence of data on receptor ontogeny. We investigated binding of [125I]Nle4,D-Phe7-alpha-MSH ([125I]NDP) in developing Long Evans rats from gestational day (E) 13 by quantitative autoradiography. Regional [125I]NDP binding characteristics were assessed by competition experiments in early postnatal brain. The study revealed region- and stage-specific, often transient ontogenetic patterns. Sympathetic ganglia exhibit high [125I]NDP binding from E13, with a peak in superior cervical ganglion at E16-E18. The first central [125I]NDP binding sites transiently appear in parts of thalamus between E13 and E15. The early fetal period is characterized by prominent peaks of receptor density in somatosensory and viscerosensory nuclei (trigeminal sensory nuclei, solitary tract nucleus), paralleled by receptor expression in 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th cranial nerve ganglia. During late fetal life, receptor density peaks in dorsal motor nucleus of vagus and inferior olive; binding sites transiently appear in cerebellum. Caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle and septohippocampal nucleus show a high perinatal maximum. Starting with late fetal piriform cortex, [125I]NDP binding peaks sequentially in cerebral cortical areas, with highest levels in entorhinal cortex. Preoptic, septal, hypothalamic and amygdaloid areas known for elevated receptor densities in adulthood, exhibit a slow, peri- and postnatal receptor ontogeny. Temporal relations to regional developmental processes support the idea of a role of melanocortins during ontogeny.. 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 581-05-5; 75921-69-6.
80. Lin, T.; Zhu, X.; Capehart, C.; Stone, R. A. The ciliary ganglion and vitreous cavity shape. Curr-Eye-Res. 1996 May; 15(5): 453-60; ISSN: 0271-3683.
ENGLAND. PURPOSE. To learn the influence of the ciliary ganglion on the postnatal growth of eyes with unimpaired visual input and of eyes beneath an image diffusing goggle. METHODS. Newborn chicks received unilateral ciliary ganglionectomy or unilateral sham operation and were reared either with or without a goggle ipsilateral to the surgical procedure. Ocular refractions and ultrasound measurements were made on anesthetized chicks; eyes enucleated postmortem were measured in axial and equatorial dimensions with calipers and studied histologically. RESULTS. Excessive growth of open eyes in the equatorial dimensions followed ciliary ganglionectomy and became more pronounced as the chicks grew older. There was only a modest increase in axial growth. Ganglionectomy also induced relative hyperopia; lens thinning contributed to this effect and likely was a direct result of disrupted parasympathetic input to the ciliary muscle. Ganglionectomy also slightly increased the thickness of the choroid in the posterior pole but not in more peripheral locations. CONCLUSION. We conclude that the ciliary ganglion exerts an inhibitory influence on the postnatal growth of open eyes; the main effect is in the equatorial dimension of the vitreous cavity, with a smaller effect on axial length. Ciliary ganglionectomy exerted minimal influence on the development of experimental myopia, known to be induced by the goggle regimen. The amount of equatorial expansion in goggle-induced myopia was greater than after ganglionectomy alone, indicating that other factors besides the ciliary ganglion can influence the equatorial dimension of the vitreous cavity.
81. Liu, D. T.; Reid, M. T.; Bridges, D. C.; Rush, R. A. Denervation, but not decentralization, reduces nerve growth factor content of the mesenteric artery. J-Neurochem. 1996 Jun; 66(6): 2295-9; ISSN: 0022-3042.
UNITED-STATES. In the present study we applied an improved nerve growth factor (NGF) extraction method to examine the effects of denervation and sympathetic decentralization on NGF levels in vascular tissue. Adult male Wistar Kyoto rats underwent mesenteric arterial denervation or splanchnic nerve transection. Four days after operation, animals were killed, and the mesenteric artery and coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglia were removed. The arterial adventitia was stripped from the media to measure NGF levels in nerve and smooth muscle separately. A high concentration of NGF was detected in the normal artery, 90% of which was in the adventitial layer. Surgical denervation significantly reduced the NGF levels in the artery and ganglia by 78 and 71%, respectively. However, within the artery the level of NGF was reduced in the adventitia but not in the media. Thus, the large reduction of NGF content resulted from the loss of nerve plexus from the artery. In contrast, decentralization did not alter the NGF content in the artery, in either the adventitia or media. Our results are in marked contrast to previous studies reporting elevated levels of NGF following denervation. This discrepancy is explained by the ability of our new procedure to extract much greater amounts of NGF from the tissue.. 0; 0; 368-16-1.
82. Longshore, R. C.; O'Brien, D. P.; Johnson, G. C.; Grooters, A. M.; Kroll, R. A. Dysautonomia in dogs: a retrospective study. J-Vet-Intern-Med. 1996 May; 10(3): 103-9; ISSN: 0891-6640.
UNITED-STATES. Dysautonomia was diagnosed in 11 young (median age, 14-months), predominantly medium- to large-breed dogs from 1988 to 1995. Clinical signs caused by autonomic dysfunction of the urinary, alimentary, and ocular systems were most common. Dysuria, mydriasis, absence of pupillary light reflexes, decreased tear production, dry mucous membranes, weight loss, and decreased anal tone were present in over 75% of affected dogs. Ocular pharmacological testing with a dilute (0.1%) solution of pilocarpine was used to demonstrate iris sphincter receptor function in all dogs. A low-dose (0.0375 mg/kg s.c.) bethanechol test and pharmacological testing with phenylephrine and epinephrine also demonstrated cholinergic and adrenergic receptor function in 4 dogs. All dogs died or were euthanized as a results of autonomic dysfunction. Neuronal depletion, with associated gliosis and minimal inflammation were noted histologically in the autonomic ganglia of each dog. The pelvic, ciliary, celiac, cranial cervical, and cranial and caudal mesenteric ganglia were affected in all dogs. The cause of autonomic failure in these dogs was not determined.
83. Lopez Figueroa, M. O.; Moller, M. Localization of NADPH-diaphorase in the rat pineal gland: an experimental enzyme histochemical study. J-Pineal-Res. 1996 Apr; 20(3): 157-63; ISSN: 0742-3098.
DENMARK. We have used the NADPH-diaphorase enzyme histochemical technique to localize the enzyme nitric oxide synthase in the rat pineal gland. Some scattered NADPH-diaphorase positive pineal cells were present, mostly in the rostral part of the gland close to the pineal stalk. In addition, NADPH-diaphorase positive nerve fibers were located in the pineal capsule, in the connective tissue septae of the gland, and also intraparenchymally between the pinealocytes. Most nerve fibers were endowed with boutons en passage. These nerve fibers remained in the gland after bilateral removal of the superior cervical ganglia verifying a non-sympathetic nature of the NADPH-diaphorase positive nerve fibers. Pineal blood vessels also exhibited NADPH-diaphorase activity. The number and distribution of NADPH-diaphorase containing cells and nerve fibers were not affected by bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy. Furthermore, animals sacrificed during day or night exhibited the same NADPH-diaphorase pattern. The present investigation provides the first morphological evidence for the presence of NADPH-diaphorase activity in rat pineal cells, suggesting an influence of nitric oxide on pineal metabolism. Furthermore, the presence of NADPH-diaphorase activity in the pineal blood vessels as well as in the perivascular nerve fiber suggests an influence of nitric oxide on the blood flow to the gland and/or the metabolism of the pineal cells adjacent to the blood vessels.. EC 1.6.99.1; 10102-43-9.
84. Lopez Figueroa, M. O.; Ravault, J. P.; Cozzi, B.; Moller, M. Presence of nitric oxide synthase in the sheep pineal gland: an experimental immunohistochemical study. Neuroendocrinology. 1996 Apr; 63(4): 384-92; ISSN: 0028-3835.
SWITZERLAND. By use of immunohistochemistry, a dense network of nerve fibres immunoreactive to the neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (NOS, subtype I) was demonstrated in the pineal gland of sheep. The NOS-immunoreactive fibres were located in the pineal capsule and the connective tissue septae of the gland, but fibres were also present intraparenchymally between the pinealocytes. NOS-immunoreactive nerve fibres were still present in the gland 1 month after bilateral removal of the superior cervical ganglia. By use of an antibody directed against endothelial NOS (subtype III), only pineal blood vessels were stained. This staining was still present in the ganglionectomized animals. No difference was found in the staining between the control animals and the ganglionectomized ones. The pinealocytes were not stained, neither by the antibody against neuronal NOS nor by the antibody against endothelial NOS. By use of double immunohistochemical stainings, NOS was in many nerve fibres colocalized with vasoactive intestinal peptide. Western blot analysis of supernatant fractions of sheep pineal homogenates showed the presence of a band corresponding to the neuronal NOS. Thus, the present data show a prominent innervation of the sheep pineal gland with NOS-immunoreactive nerve fibres with their origin outside the sympathetic nervous system, indicating an influence of NO on the pinealocyte metabolism from non-sympathetic nerve fibres in this species. The presence of NOS in both perivascular nerve fibres and the endothelium of the blood vessels of the gland suggests a role of NO in the regulation of the circulation of the sheep pineal gland.. EC 1.14.13.39; 0; 37221-79-7.
85. Luft, D. [Diabetic cardiovascular neuropathy]. Diabetische kardiovaskulare Neuropathie. Z-Arztl-Fortbild-Jena. 1996 Apr; 90(2): 139-43; ISSN: 0044-2178.
GERMANY. Impairment of the autonomic nervous system is frequently detectable in diabetic patients. Symptoms and signs are less often observed but if present may be very important with regard to quality of life, metabolic control, and prognosis. Currently used methods to detect disturbances of the autonomic innervation of the cardiovascular system are easily performed, noninvasive, reliable and reproducible. They are not very time consuming and require only standard technical equipment allowing the quick identification of patients at risk. Damage of the cardiovascular autonomic nerve function may explain apparently disparate complaints and signs, i.e. orthostatic hypotension, painless myocardial ischemia, complications during anesthesia, postprandial hypotension and development of the diabetic food syndrome. The diagnosis of asymptomatic cardiovascular neuropathy should always induce attempts to intensify diabetes treatment because better metabolic control may improve or at least stop deterioration of nerve function.
86. Lumme, A.; Vanhatalo, S.; Soinila, S. Axonal transport of nitric oxide synthase in autonomic nerves. J-Auton-Nerv-Syst. 1996 Jan 5; 56(3): 207-14; ISSN: 0165-1838.
NETHERLANDS. By using mechanical nerve ligation or nerve pinch technique, we provide evidence that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is transported in the preganglionic sympathetic axons, while postganglionic axons lack NOS transport. This finding corroborates the preganglionic sympathetic terminal as the site of NO synthesis, which is known to affect ganglionic transmission. Both vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) containing neurons of the nodose ganglion transport NOS in their axons. These results therefore suggest that NOergic innervation of autonomically innervated tissues is of parasympathetic and/or sensory, rather than sympathetic, origin.. EC 1.14.13.39; EC 1.6.99.1; 33507-63-0; 37221-79-7.
87. Lynch, T.; Sima, A. A. Glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy [letter]. Ann-Neurol. 1996 Mar; 39(3): 416; ISSN: 0364-5134.
UNITED-STATES.
88. Ma, R. C.; Szurszewski, J. H. Facilitating effect of CCK on nicotinic neurotransmission in cat pancreatic ganglion. Am-J-Physiol. 1996 Mar; 270(3 Pt 1): G526-34; ISSN: 0002-9513.
UNITED-STATES. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of cholecystokinin (CCK)-like peptides in nerve terminals surrounding ganglion neurons of the cat pancreas. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on ganglionic transmission. Recordings were made intracellularly in vitro from ganglion neurons in isolated pieces of the pancreas. Sulfated CCK-8 (S-CCK-8) and nonsulfated CCK-8 initiated or increased ongoing fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) activity, an effect antagonized by hexamethonium. Superfusion of S-CCK-8 in concentrations ranging from 10(-11) to 10(-8) M significantly augmented the amplitude of nerve-evoked subthreshold fEPSPs without a significant change in either membrane potential or membrane input resistance. S-CCK-8 (10(-8)M) also increased the quantal content and quantal size of nerve-evoked fEPSPs and increased the response to exogenously applied acetylcholine (ACh). Concentrations of S-CCK-8 higher than 10(-8)M caused depolarization and an increase in membrane input resistance, an effect unaltered by a low-Ca+, high-Mg2+ solution. It was concluded that S-CCK-8 potentiated nicotinic transmission by facilitating release of ACh from preganglionic nerve terminals and by increasing the postsynaptic membrane sensitivity to ACh.. 0; 25126-32-3; 51-84-3; 60-26-4.
89. Macho Fernandez, J. M.; Manero Ruiz, F. J.; Soriano Godes, J. J.; Otero Sierra, C.; Ros Mendoza, L. H. [Atypical algodystrophy of the knee: apropos 2 partial cases]. Algodistrofia atipica de rodilla: a proposito de dos casos con forma parcial. Rev-Clin-Esp. 1996 May; 196(5): 306-9; ISSN: 0014-2565.
SPAIN. Algodystrophy is a common entity which may present in many clinical contexts. Its early diagnosis and therapy are of great prognostic interest. Apart from the typical complete forms there are some other atypical forms, such as partial knee algodystrophy, of difficult diagnosis. Its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of gonalgia occurring in patients attended under many medical specialties is therefore necessary. Two atypical cases of knee algodystrophy in its partial form are reported. One of these cases relapsed at the heterolateral knee after 18 months of the initial presentation; this second episode was also a partial form, a fact which we have not seen reported. The reported cases are here discussed and the scarce literature is reviewed, commenting on the di