Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension. Biochemical and pathologic observations in 2 cases

Eur Neurol. 1975;13(3):177-88. doi: 10.1159/000114674.

Abstract

Two cases of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension are reported, one associated with striato-nigral degeneration (case 1) and the other with Lewy body parkinsonism (case 2). In case 1, cerebrospinal fluid monoamine studies were carried out before and during treatment with 5-HTP and L-dopa. Low values of 5-HIAA appeared to be associated with degeneration of the spinal cord intermediolateral column. L-dopa had a beneficial effect on both parkinsonism and hypotension over a period of 6 months. New pathologic observations included changes in the sacral cord and a topographically related involvement of the substantia nigra and striatum, consistent with recent experimental neuroanatomical data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Amines / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Brain Diseases / complications
  • Brain Diseases / metabolism
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • Ganglia, Autonomic / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / urine
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic* / complications
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic* / metabolism
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic* / pathology
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology
  • Putamen / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Substantia Nigra / pathology

Substances

  • Amines
  • Levodopa
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan