Novel test for baroreceptor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

We investigated whether the analysis of beat-to-beat blood pressure in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) could be used to accurately assess their sympathetic neurocirculatory function. PD is frequently associated with disturbed neurocirculatory innervation, resulting in baroreceptor dysfunction, impaired blood pressure regulation and orthostatic hypotension. Diagnosis of the impairment is problematic, however, because patients experience difficulties performing standard tests for the condition such as the Valsalva maneuver. We analyzed recordings of resting finger arterial pressure made continuously and non…