Hi Joe,
That is a good question! Either the Autonomous Nervous System is not totally
autonomous, or it has neurons that are of similar construction and subject to
whatever kills those brain cells. But as you observed that would involve
Dopamine throughout the body.
"J. R. Bruman" wrote:
>
> Mary Ann Ryan wrote:
> >
> > , I have found that slowed
> > > stomach emptying and constipation are likely to be at the root of
> > > delayed "kick-in" of PD meds,
> > Is the autonomic nervous system affected by PD I wonder?
>
> No doubt about it, and it's the *peripheral* autonomic system as
> well.
> Some of the most troublesome PD symptoms, e.g., constipation,
> various
> skin problems, etc. arise wholly outside the central nervous
> system, and
> the relation to PD is clearly indicated by the beneficial effect
> of
> dopamine-enhancing medication (Sinemet). The tantalizing question
> for
> me is, If PD is defined as loss of dopamine produced *within* the
> brain
> by the substantia nigra, and if dopamine doesn't cross the
> blood-brain
> barrier, how then does PD affect peripheral autonomic systems
> *outside*
> the brain? None of the authorities I queried has offered a
> straight
> answer. Cheers,
> Joe
> --
> J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694
> 3527 Cody Road
> Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013
--
Frans van Duinen
(416) 652-8580
Master Programmer Group Inc.
Toronto, Ontario
