Autonomic Failure

This fourth edition of Autonomic Failure covers the many recent advances made in our understanding of the autonomic nervous system. There are 20 new chapters and extensive revisions of all other contributions. This book makes diagnosis increasingly precise by fully evaluating the underlying anatomical and functional deficits, thereby allowing more effective treatment. This new edition continues to provide practitioners from a variety of fields, including neurology, cardiology, geriatric medicine, diabetology and internal medicine, with a rational guide to aid in the recognition and management of autonomic disorders. The new edition starts with an updated classification of autonomic disorders and a history of the autonomic nervous system. The first two sections of the book deal with the fundamental aspects of autonomic structure, function and integration. There are new chapters dealing with neurobiology, nerve growth factors, genetic mutations, neural and hormonal control of the cerebral circulation, innervation of the lung and pathophysiological mechanisms causing nausea and vomiting.

Advances in the clinical management of autonomic disorders are critically dependent on the bridge between the basic and applied sciences. The third section of the book examines the many technological advances allowing non-invasive investigation of the autonomic nervous system. Section four examines the primary autonomic failure syndromes, in particular multiple system atrophy, the most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system. Section five looks at the major peripheral neuropathies, such as diabetes mellitus and includes new chapters on familial dysautonomia and amyloidosis. The sixth and final section has undergone major expansion as there are now many other disorders known to have considerable autonomic components New chapters are included on neurocardiology, neurally mediated syncope, cardiac and rhythm causes of syncope, shock, migraine, disorders affecting cutaneous blood flow, the effects of drugs, chemicals and toxins, and ageing.