Autonomic Neurology

The purpose of this book is to present a focused approach to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of the most common autonomic disorders that may present to the clinical neurologist. Autonomic Neurology is divided into 3 sections. The first section includes 5 chapters reviewing the anatomical and biochemical mechanisms of central and peripheral nervous system control of autonomic function, principles of autonomic pharmacology, and a clinical and laboratory approach to the diagnosis of autonomic disorders. The second section focuses on the pathophysiology and management of orthostatic hypotension, postural tachycardia, baroreflex failure; syncope, disorders of sweating, neurogenic bladder and sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal dysmotility, and autonomic hyperactivity. The final section is devoted to specific autonomic disorders, including central neurodegenerative disorders; common peripheral neuropathies with prominent autonomic failure; painful small fiber neuropathies; autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathies and neuropathies; focal brain disorders; focal spinal cord disorders; and chronic pain disorders with autonomic manifestations. This book is the product of the extensive experience of its contributors in the evaluation and management of the many patients with autonomic symptoms who are referred for neurologic consultation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Autonomic Neurology focuses on clinical scenarios and presentation of clinical cases and includes several figures showing the results of normal and abnormal autonomic testing in typical conditions. Its abundance of tables summarizing the differential diagnosis, testing, and management of autonomic disorders also help set this book apart from other books focused on the autonomic nervous system. Eduardo Benarroch, MD, DSCi, Mayo Clinic CONTENTS 1. Central Autonomic Network 2. Anatomy and Function of the Peripheral Autonomic System 3. Autonomic Neurotransmission 4. Autonomic Pharmacology 5. Evaluation of Autonomic Disorders 6: Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension 7: Postural Tachycardia Syndrome 8. Baroreflex Failure 9. Syncope and Other Causes of Transient Loss of Consciousness 10. Disorders of Sweating 11. Neurogenic Bladder and Sexual Dysfunction 12. Gastrointestinal Dysmotility 13. Autonomic Hyperactivity 14. Neurodegenerative Autonomic Disorders 15. Autonomic Neuropathies 16. Neuropathic Pain Disorders with Autonomic Component 17. Autoimmune Autonomic Disorders 18. Focal Disorders of the Cerebral Hemispheres and Brain Stem 19. Focal Disorders of the Spinal Cord 20. Chronic Pain Disorders With Autonomic Features