Re: New findings on the neuropathology of multiple system atrophy.

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-THIS IS IT FINALLY LINDA -- In shydrager@y..., " lbess15 "

wrote:

> New findings on the neuropathology of multiple system atrophy.

> Benarroch EE.

> Neurophysiological Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Mayo

Clinic,

> Rochester, MN 55905, USA. benarroch.eduardo@m...

> Multiple system atrophy (MSA) provides a typical example of the

> integrative role of the central autonomic network in controlling

> cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder and gastrointestinal

functions.

> There is increasing evidence that neurochemically defined neuronal

> groups of the brainstem are selectively affected in MSA to a much

> greater degree than in Parkinson's disease. These include the

> catecholaminergic neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (C1

> group) which project to the intermediolateral cell column and are

> involved in modulation of sympathetic vasomotor outflow, and

> noradrenergic neurons of the caudal ventrolateral medulla (A1

group)

> projecting to the magnocellular nuclei of the hypothalamus and

> regulating vasopressin (AVP) release. Loss of these groups of

neurons

> may, at least in part, explain the development of orthostatic

> hypotension, baroreflex dysfunction, and impaired reflex AVP

release

> in response to hypotension. There is preliminary evidence that

> cardiovagal neurons of the ventrolateral portion of the nucleus

> ambiguus, distinct from the branchimotor neurons of the compact

> region, may also be affected in MSA. Loss of cholinergic neurons in

> the medullary arcuate nucleus, considered by some to be the

> homologous to the central chemosensitive region of the ventral

> medullary surface, may contribute to disturbances in automatic

> ventilation, particularly during sleep, in patients with MSA.

> PMID: 11911503 [PubMed - in process]