RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Assessment of autonomic function in myotonic dystrophy.
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 531
OP 534
DO 10.1136/jnnp.54.6.531
VO 54
IS 6
A1 J C den Heijer
A1 J G van Dijk
A1 W L Bollen
A1 J E Bos
A1 A R Wintzen
YR 1991
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/54/6/531.abstract
AB Published reports suggested autonomic nervous system dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy but were inconclusive partly due to small patient numbers and because only a limited number of tests was used. Autonomic nervous system function with noninvasive tests was assessed in ten myotonic dystrophy patients and age and sex matched healthy controls. Statistically significant differences included reduction in the heart rate response to standing and in the blood pressure response to sustained handgrip. Latency of the pupillary light reflex was not different from controls but the time to reach peak velocity of contraction was significantly longer in the myotonic dystrophy group. It is argued that these results reflect dysfunction of voluntary and iris smooth muscle rather than autonomic nervous system dysfunction.