1.HIV-associated parkinsonism reversed with antiretroviral therapy
Yu-Wen Cheng ; Chin-Hsien Lin ; Ruey-Meei Wu
Neurology Asia 2014;19(2):199-203
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause variable movement disorders, including parkinsonism. HIV-related parkinsonism usually responds well to highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), suggesting a possible reversible dysfunction of the dopaminergic system. We report the case of a 42-year-old man who presented with rapidly progressive symmetric parkinsonism, cognitive decline, and loss of postural reflex as the initial manifestation of HIV infection. A significant improvement of his parkinsonism after HAART demonstrates a potentially reversible dopaminergic system dysfunction secondary to HIV infection. A normal 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT image after HAART treatment paralleled the clinical improvement in extrapyramidal symptoms. Early identification of HIV-related parkinsonism, especially in patients with symmetrical akinetic-rigidity and early loss of posture reflex, is important for its potential reversibility with HAART therapy.
2.Exploring orthostatic hypotension in patients with multiple system atrophy by a non-invasive cardiac output system
Ke-Vin Chang ; Ruey-Meei Wu ; Ssu-Yuan Chen ; Hsiu-Yu Shen ; Ching Lan ; Yen-Ho Wang
Neurology Asia 2012;17(4):311-318
Objective: To detect early subclinical signs of autonomic dysfunction in the cardiovascular system
and explore the mechanism of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in patients with multiple system atrophy
(MSA). Methods: Eighteen male patients with possible MSA and 10 healthy men were recruited.
The hemodynamic responses to head-up tilt and tilt-reversal were studied by an electrically-powered
tilt table and a non-invasive cardiac output measurement (NICOM) system. Results: At supine, there
was no signifi cant difference in blood pressure, heart rate (HR), stroke volume, cardiac output and
total peripheral resistance between MSA patients and healthy controls. During tilting upright, OH
developed in 5 MSA patients, with a 23.7±4.8 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure. Patients with
OH were older and exhibited higher scores in unifi ed Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale part I
than patients without OH. The stroke volume, cardiac output and total peripheral resistance did not
differ between groups. The controls had the most signifi cant HR elevation (6.5±2.5 bpm) during tiltup,
followed by patients without OH (2.8±1.6 bpm) and those with OH (-0.2±2.2 bpm). A similar
trend of HR decrease was observed during return to supine posture. The process of tilt-reversal altered
HR more signifi cantly than head-up tilt in controls (8.0±2.9 vs 6.5±2.5 bpm; P=0.031) and patients
without OH (4.2±2.1 vs 2.8±1.6 bpm; P=0.032), but not in patients with OH (1.2±1.5 vs -0.2±2.2
bpm; P=0.380).
Conclusions: The HR change during postural challenge showed signifi cant difference between MSA
patients and healthy controls. Impaired HR responsiveness contributed to OH in MSA. Monitoring HR
during the tilt table test may be a practical and useful method to detect early autonomic dysfunction
in patients with MSA.