Heims Hannah C, Critchley Hugo D, Martin Naomi H, Jäger H Rolf, Mathias Christopher J, Cipolotti Lisa
Dept. of Neuropsychology, BOX 37, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London,WC1N 3BG, UK.
Clin Auton Res. 2006 Apr;16(2):113-20. doi: 10.1007/s10286-006-0318-7.
Psychophysiological science proposes close interactions between cognitive processes and autonomic responses, yet the consequences of autonomic failure on cognitive functioning have not been documented. This pilot study investigates, for the first time, the cognitive profile of 14 patients with Pure Autonomic Failure (PAF). Each patient was administered a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests and neuroimaging investigation. A number of patients (n = 6) presented with cognitive impairment. The two most frequent types of impairment were: deficits of speed and attention, and executive functioning. Impairments of free recall memory, intellectual functioning, nominal and calculation functions were also documented, albeit in a much lower frequency. These cognitive changes were not always associated with white matter abnormalities. We speculate that the cognitive impairments associated with PAF represent consequences of systemic hypotension with cerebral underperfusion. However, a failure in integrated bodily arousal responses during cognitive behaviours may also contribute to some of the observed deficits.
心理生理学提出认知过程与自主反应之间存在密切的相互作用，但自主神经功能衰竭对认知功能的影响尚未得到记录。这项初步研究首次调查了14名纯自主神经功能衰竭（PAF）患者的认知特征。每位患者都接受了一系列全面的神经心理学测试和神经影像学检查。一些患者（n = 6）出现了认知障碍。最常见的两种障碍类型是：速度和注意力缺陷以及执行功能障碍。自由回忆记忆、智力功能、命名和计算功能的障碍也有记录，尽管频率要低得多。这些认知变化并不总是与白质异常相关。我们推测，与PAF相关的认知障碍是全身性低血压伴脑灌注不足的结果。然而，认知行为期间整合的身体唤醒反应失败也可能导致一些观察到的缺陷。
