The autonomic nervous system and fatigue.

Behavioral, physiologic and exertional fatigue is differently defined, though symptoms are similar. The beneficial effect of amantadine on fatiguability in multiple sclerosis is accompanied by neuropeptide and lactate changes in the circulation. Exercise sometimes overwhelms temperature regulating mechanisms and may be associated with heat stroke. Endogenous opioids are markedly increased in the circulation during heat stroke and the use of specific opioid antagonists therapeutically has been proposed for heat stroke. Sympathetic activity changes in endurance trained subjects and vasoconstrictor responses are markedly attenuated. Similar changes occur in parasympathetic function which can be abnormal in up to 90% of endurance trained subjects. Hormonal secretion during prolonged exertion is altered and the normal signals (inhibiting or activating feedback mechanisms) are different in endurance trained subjects. Altitude, associated with acute mountain sickness, is also accompanied by an increase in cranial bloodflow. Circadian and temporal variation in autonomic function are manifest by changes in mast cell numbers and 5-HT containing nerve fibers in temple skin of patients with cluster headache. The remission rate induced by vagal stimulation in subjects with intractable hiccups is also affected by circadian hormonal or neurogenic influences.