AN ABNORMAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD-PRESSURE AND PULSE-RATE IN AMYOTROPHIC-LATERAL-SCLEROSIS

Objectives - To clarify the autonomic dysfunctions in amyotrophic late ral sclerosis (ALS) patients, we investigated the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR), QTc interval, and coefficien t of variation in the R-R interval (CVR-R) in ALS patients. Material a nd methods - BP and PR were determined automatically every 30 min for 24 h in 6 patients with ALS and in 18 healthy age-matched volunteers. The QTc interval and CVR-R were also evaluated using an electrocardiog ram. Results - The relationship between BP and PR was lost In the ALS group. There was no significant difference in the QTc Interval or CVR- R between the ALS and control groups. Conclusion - We speculate that t he imbalance between BP and Phi observed in the ALS group reflects a d isorder in the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic ner vous systems.