Loss of catecholaminergic neurons in the medullary reticular formation in myotonic dystrophy.
Neurology
; 51(4): 1121-4, 1998 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9781540
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To clarify the possible relation between the extent of involvement of catecholaminergic neurons and the presence of alveolar hypoventilation in patients with myotonic dystrophy (MyD).BACKGROUND:
Respiratory insufficiency has been reported frequently in MyD patients. Recent data support the hypothesis that this respiratory failure results from a primary dysfunction of the CNS.METHODS:
The authors performed a quantitative immunoreactive study of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH+) neurons linked to hypoventilation in the dorsal central medullary nucleus (DCMN), the ventral central medullary nucleus (VCMN), and the subtrigeminal medullary nucleus (SMN)--where the autonomic respiratory center is thought to be located--in eight MyD patients and in 10 age-matched control subjects. Alveolar hypoventilation of the central type was present in three of the MyD patients but not in the remaining MyD patients or the control subjects.RESULTS:
The densities of TH+ neurons of the DCMN, the VCMN, and the SMN in MyD patients with hypoventilation were significantly lower than in those without hypoventilation (p < 0.02, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively) and control subjects (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively).CONCLUSIONS:
These data suggest that the loss of TH+ neurons of the DCMN, the VCMN, and the SMN is associated with the presence of hypoventilation in MyD and may be an important feature of MyD.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Formação Reticular
/
Catecolaminas
/
Distrofia Miotônica
/
Neurônios
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Neurology
Ano de publicação:
1998
Tipo de documento:
Article