NINDS Dysautonomia Information Page

Synonym(s): Autonomic Dysfunction, Familial Dysautonomia, Riley-Day Syndrome

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What is Dysautonomia?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Clinical Trials
Organizations

What is Dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia refers to a disorder of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Most physicians view dysautonomia in terms of failure of the sympathetic or parasympathetic components of the ANS, but dysautonomia involving excessive ANS activities also can occur. Dysautonomia can be local, as in reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or generalized, as in pure autonomic failure. It can be acute and reversible, as in Guillain-Barre syndrome, or chronic and progressive. Several common conditions such as diabetes and alcoholism can include dysautonomia. Dysautonomia also can occur as a primary condition or in association with degenerative neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Other diseases with generalized, primary dysautonomia include multiple system atrophy and familial dysautonomia. Hallmarks of generalized dysautonomia due to sympathetic failure are impotence (in men) and a fall in blood pressure during standing (orthostatic hypotension). Excessive sympathetic activity can present as hypertension or a rapid pulse rate.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for dysautonomia. Secondary forms may improve with treatment of the underlying disease. In many cases treatment of primary dysautonomia is symptomatic and supportive. Measures to combat orthostatic hypotension include elevation of the head of the bed, frequent small meals, a high-salt diet, and drugs such as fludrocortisone, midodrine, and ephedrine.

What is the prognosis?

The outlook for patients with dysautonomia depends on the particular diagnostic category. Patients with chronic, progressive, generalized dysautonomia in the setting of central nervous system degeneration have a generally poor long-term prognosis. Death can occur from pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, or sudden cardiopulmonary arrest in such patients.

What research is being done?

The NINDS supports and conducts research on dysautonomia. This research aims to discover ways to diagnose, treat, and, ultimately, prevent these disorders.

NIH Patient Recruitment for Dysautonomia Clinical Trials

Organizations

Column1	Column2
National Dysautonomia Research Foundation P.O. Box 301 Red Wing, MN 55066-0301 ndrf@ndrf.org http://www.ndrf.org Tel: 651-267-0525 Fax: 651-267-0524	National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) 55 Kenosia Avenue Danbury, CT 06810 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291
Dysautonomia Foundation 315 W. 39th Street Suite 701 New York, NY 10018 info@familialdysautonomia.org http://www.familialdysautonomia.org Tel: 212-279-1066 Fax: 212-279-2066	Familial Dysautonomia Hope Foundation, Inc. (FD Hope) 121 South Estes Drive Suite 205-D Chapel Hill, NC 27514-2868 info@fdhope.org http://www.fdhope.org Tel: 919-969-1414
Shy-Drager/Multiple System Atrophy Support Group, Inc. 8311 Brier Creek Parkway Suite 105-434 Raleigh, NC 27617 vjames@shy-drager.org or jbiedenharn@shy-drager.org http://www.shy-drager.org Tel: 1-866-737-5999	Dysautonomia Youth Network of America, Inc. 1301 Greengate Court Waldorf, MD 20601 info@dynainc.org http://www.dynainc.org Tel: 301-705-6995 Fax: 301-638-DYNA

Related NINDS Publications and Information

Hereditary Dysautonomias: Current Knowledge and Collaborations for the Future
Report of the Hereditary Dysautonomias: Current Knowledge and Collaborations for the Future on October 3-4, 2002

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated September 29, 2011