[Autonomic disorders in dementia with Lewy bodies].

Fifty patients diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) according to criteria of I. MacKleith et al (2000), mean age 71.1 +/- 6.1 years, have been studied. Severity of dimentia was evaluated using a battery of neuropsychological scales and tests. A state of autonomic nervous system function was determined during clinical examination, the results of which were used as a basis for the Scale of autonomic disorders severity, and by instrumental methods. Most of patients with DLB had autonomic disorders, such as orthostatic hypotension, heat intolerability, dryness of cutaneous epithelium and mouth mucous membranes, urination disorders. The study of reactivity of autonomic nervous system revealed a predominance of parasympathetic reactions. The authors believe that autonomic disorders are typical for DLB and are the result of affection of the peripheral nerves, stem and spinal autonomic structures.