ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN AUTONOMIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM FUNCTION .4. DISORDERS OF SOME CARDIOVASCULAR REFLEXES IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

Background. Parkinson's disease is usually accompanied by vegetative disturbances. The author assessed their severity by cardiovascular reflex testing (Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing test, handgrip test, orthostatic test). Methods. Results obtained in 48 patients with Parkinson's disease and 30 healthy age-matched volunteers were compared. The type, duration and severity of the disease were taken into account. Results. In comparison to the healthy subjects, in patients all cardiovascular reflexes were affected. Blood pressure regulation was more affected already in the early years of Parkinson's disease and in patients with the akinetic rigid form. Later, in more severely sick patients, the heart rate reactivity deteriorated as well. Conclusions. Results indicate that in Parkinson's disease sympathetic hypofunction precedes the parasympathetic hypofunction.