Autonomic dysfunction and sleep apnea in olivopontocerebellar degeneration
S. Chokroverty, R. Sachdeo and J. Masdeu
We studied ten men with olivopontocerebellar degeneration. Our findings of
the autonomic deficits as manifested by orthostatic hypotension, impaired
Valsalva's response, abnormal findings on cold pressor and mental
arithmetic tests, and plasma renin and norepinephrine abnormalities in some
patients with olivopontocerebellar degeneration suggested a defective
central control of the sympathetic nervous system. Five patients had sleep
apnea. Autonomic dysfunction and sleep apnea in olivopontocerebellar
degeneration may result from degenerative lesions in the cerebellum and the
brain stem.
