Sympathetic skin response (SSR) in multiple sclerosis.

The function of the autonomic system in multiple sclerosis (MS) is often afflicted. In order to reveal the presence of autonomic disturbances examination of sympathetic skin response (SSR), as a simple non-invasive method of the evaluation of conduction in autonomic nervous system, was performed in 25 patients with clinically defined MS. The diagnosis was confirmed by MRI and evoked potentials studies. Bimodal type of stimulation was used: the median nerve was stimulated, then the auditory stimulus (burst) was presented to the patient. Responses were recorded simultaneously from the palms and soles. SSR was abnormal in 19 patients (76%). Absence of the response from lower limbs and normal response from upper limbs were found in 6 patients (24%), increase in latency and decrease in amplitude from upper and lower limbs were found in 8 patients (32%) and increase in latency, decrease in amplitude of the response from upper limbs with absence of the response from lower limbs were found in 5 patients (20%). SSR appears to be a simple and effective method of assessing sympathetic disturbances in multiple sclerosis.