Primary autonomic failure (also called primary dysautonomia) refers to a category of
dysautonomias — conditions in which the autonomic nervous system does not function properly.
In primary dysautonomias, the autonomic dysfunction occurs as a primary condition (as opposed to resulting from another disease).
Autonomic failure is categorized as "primary" when believed to result from a chronic condition characterized by degeneration of the autonomic nervous system, or where autonomic failure is the predominant symptom and its cause is unknown.
Such "primary" dysautonomias are distinguished from secondary dysautonomias, where the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is believed to be caused by another disease (e.g. diabetes).
Diseases categorized as primary autonomic failure usually include
pure autonomic failure
Pure autonomic failure (PAF) is an uncommon, sporadic neurodegenerative condition marked by a steadily declining autonomic regulation. Bradbury and Eggleston originally described pure autonomic failure in 1925.
Patients usually present with orthos ...
and
multiple system atrophy
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, slow movement, muscle rigidity, postural instability (collectively known as parkinsonism), autonomic dysfunction and ataxia. This is caused by progr ...
. Many scientists also categorize
Parkinson disease Parkinson may refer to:
*Parkinson (surname)
* ''Parkinson'' (TV series), British chat show, presented by Sir Michael Parkinson
*Parkinson, Queensland, suburb of Brisbane, Australia
*The Parkinsons (fl. early 20th century), American father-and-son ...
and familial dysautonomia as "primary".
References
Peripheral nervous system disorders
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