Abstract
Idiopathic chronic autonomic dysfunction may occur as pure autonomic failure (PAF) or in association with multiple system atrophy (MSA). CSF immunoreactivity to rat locus ceruleus occurred in a significantly greater number of samples from MSA patients compared to control subjects or patients with PAF. Other brain regions infrequently showed immunoreactivity. These findings suggest that degeneration in MSA may release antigen(s) that induce antibodies against locus ceruleus neurons. Further studies are required to determine whether immune abnormalities play a pathogenetic role in MSA. Lack of CSF immunoreactivity in PAF is consistent with primarily peripheral involvement.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Animals
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Atrophy
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Autoantibodies / cerebrospinal fluid*
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Autoantibodies / immunology
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Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
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Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / immunology*
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Cerebellum / immunology
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Cerebellum / pathology
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Cross Reactions
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Humans
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Locus Coeruleus / immunology*
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Locus Coeruleus / pathology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Nerve Degeneration / immunology*
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Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies / cerebrospinal fluid
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Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies / immunology*
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred Strains
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Septum Pellucidum / immunology
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Septum Pellucidum / pathology
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Species Specificity
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Substantia Nigra / immunology
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Substantia Nigra / pathology
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Tegmentum Mesencephali / immunology
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Tegmentum Mesencephali / pathology