Biomaterial Database

Electrophysiological assessment of peripheral and central autonomic disorders. 2023

Joel Gutiérrez

Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Cuban Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Havana, Cuba; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Havana University of Medical Sciences, Havana, Cuba.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) coordinates multiple reflex actions which are essential for life. The tests employed to evaluate the ANS provide valuable information of the functional state of these reflex arcs. The ideal test should be simple to perform, noninvasive, reproducible, sensitive, specific, safe, and appropriate for longitudinal studies. The availability of computer-based techniques has facilitated the electrophysiological assessment of ANS-mediated reflexes. The information provided by autonomic testing must be analyzed in combination with the clinical history and physical examination of the patient, allowing for a hypothesis that can be tested. Properly performed and interpreted, ANS testing can be used to confirm the presence of an ANS disturbance and the involved functional pathways, as well as the extent, intensity, and site of injury. This chapter describes the most important electrophysiological tests used to evaluate the ANS control of cardiovascular reflexes and sweat gland activity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D012018	Reflex	An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001341	Autonomic Nervous System	The ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM; PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM; and SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM taken together. Generally speaking, the autonomic nervous system regulates the internal environment during both peaceful activity and physical or emotional stress. Autonomic activity is controlled and integrated by the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, especially the HYPOTHALAMUS and the SOLITARY NUCLEUS, which receive information relayed from VISCERAL AFFERENTS.	Vegetative Nervous System,Visceral Nervous System,Autonomic Nervous Systems,Nervous System, Autonomic,Nervous System, Vegetative,Nervous System, Visceral,Nervous Systems, Autonomic,Nervous Systems, Vegetative,Nervous Systems, Visceral,System, Autonomic Nervous,System, Vegetative Nervous,System, Visceral Nervous,Systems, Autonomic Nervous,Systems, Vegetative Nervous,Systems, Visceral Nervous,Vegetative Nervous Systems,Visceral Nervous Systems
D001342	Autonomic Nervous System Diseases	Diseases of the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, including sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems.	Autonomic Disorders,Central Autonomic Nervous System Diseases,Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System,Dysautonomia,Nervous System Diseases, Autonomic,Nervous System Diseases, Parasympathetic,Nervous System Diseases, Sympathetic,Non-Familial Dysautonomia,Parasympathetic Nervous System Diseases,Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System Diseases,Sympathetic Nervous System Diseases,ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) Diseases,ANS Diseases,Autonomic Central Nervous System Diseases,Autonomic Diseases,Autonomic Nervous System Disorders,Autonomic Peripheral Nervous System Diseases,Segmental Autonomic Dysfunction,ANS Disease,Autonomic Disease,Autonomic Disorder,Autonomic Dysfunction, Segmental,Autonomic Dysfunctions, Segmental,Disorder, Autonomic,Dysautonomia, Non-Familial,Dysautonomias,Non Familial Dysautonomia,Non-Familial Dysautonomias,Segmental Autonomic Dysfunctions