Objective: To evaluate whether the circadian rhythm of body core temperature (CRT degrees ) can differentiate Multiple-System Atrophy (MSA) from Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).
Methods: We evaluated 14 patients with probable MSA, seven with IPD, and eight controls. After a preliminary evaluation of cardiovascular autonomic function, rectal temperature and sleep-wake cycle were monitored continuously for 48 hours in a temperature-controlled room, at constant bed rest with controlled food intake and fixed light-dark schedule.
Results: MSA patients showed cardiovascular autonomic sympathetic and parasympathetic failure. IPD had normal cardiovascular autonomic function. A 24-hour rhythm of body core temperature (BcT degrees ) was present in all subjects. IPD had CRT degrees comparable to controls. In MSA the mesor was higher and mean BcT degrees of each hour was significantly higher from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The analysis of mean BcT degrees during the different sleep phases showed significantly higher values during both NREM (1--2, 3--4) and REM sleep stages in MSA.
Conclusions: The physiological nocturnal fall of BcT degrees is blunted in MSA patients mainly because BcT degrees did not decrease during sleep. This CRT degrees pattern is not justified by differences in sleep structure and may reflect an impairment of central sympathetic nervous system function.
Copyright 2001 Movement Disorder Society.