[Evaluation of sudomotor function].

From the aspect of physiological roles, sweating on the hairy skin is an important for thermoregulation of body, and that on glabrous skin (the palm or sole) works as an anti-skid material when gripping something or performing a delicate task using the fingertips (emotional sweating). Abnormal sweating, which can be global or localized, is classified into hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis, and detection of abnormal sweating, such as Horner's syndrome and Harlequin syndrome, is clinically useful for regional diagnosis of neurological lesions. In addition, sudomotor function tests, where sweat secretion is induced by physiological or pharmacological stimuli, are useful for diagnosis of neurological disorders. In this manuscript, clinical evaluation of abnormal sweating from the aspect of neurological diagnosis is reviewed.