A study that is appropriate for any patient that is thought to have autonomic impairment. The aim of this study is to establish the baseline health of the autonomic nervous system and to help establish or confirm a preliminary diagnosis. It includes autonomic reflex testing, blood pressure measurements lying, seated and standing along with blood sampling for plasma catecholamines. There may be a tilt test, cardiac output measurements taken. There are also some questionnaires.
Modafinil and Cognitive Functin in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
A common complaint among people with POTS is "brain fog", a difficulty in concentrating. This study consists of a baseline autonomic evaluation then a series of medication trials on subsequent days to see if two different medications, given alone or together can help the subject concentrate.
The purpose of this study is to investigate how a small electrical stimulation of a nerve to the skin of your ear lobe may affect your heart rate and blood pressure. We hope this study will help us develop a new therapy for your disease. The study may include a basic autonomic evaluation, and three days of study, including two brief tilts table tests on separate days.
Genetic Basis of Autonomic Dysfunction
All patients with autonomic problems are asked to participate in a study that collects a blood sample for DNA extraction. We feel strongly that DNA collection is a research tool that will may invaluable in the future to understanding the causes of these rare disorders. There are no specific tests that are planned at the moment, and results from DNA testing will not be available to individual participants.