Autonomic dysfunction and sleep apnea in olivopontocerebellar degeneration.

We studied ten men with olivopontocerebellar degeneration. Our findings of the autonomic deficits as manifested by orthostatic hypotension, impaired Valsalva's response, abnormal findings on cold pressor and mental arithmetic tests, and plasma renin and norepinephrine abnormalities in some patients with olivopontocerebellar degeneration suggested a defective central control of the sympathetic nervous system. Five patients had sleep apnea. Autonomic dysfunction and sleep apnea in olivopontocerebellar degeneration may result from degenerative lesions in the cerebellum and the brain stem.