Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients.

Abstract

We present the results of our study dealing with autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We performed a cardiovascular reflex examination (heart rate variation in deep breathing and active standing) and spectral analysis of heart rate variability in 36 MS patients who fulfilled the criteria for this diagnosis. We evaluated several various indexes used for the assessment of ANS function: I/E, I-E in deep breathing test; RRmax/RRmin in active standing, spectral analysis of heart rate variability in VLF, LF and HF bands were performed. We found a significant difference in I-E index values during deep breathing test in MS patients when compared to the healthy control group; we did not find any difference in I/E index (deep breathing test) and RRmax/RRmin (active standing) values. The spectral analysis of heart rate variability in the rest-tilt-rest test showed a significant difference in spectral powers in MS patients when compared to the healthy control group in all frequency bands. (Tab. 2, Fig. 7, Ref 17.)