Knowledge of the physiology underlying the autonomic nervous system is pivotal for understanding autonomic dysfunction in clinical practice. Autonomic dysfunction may result from primary modifications of the autonomic nervous system or be secondary to a wide range of diseases that cause severe morbidity and mortality. Together with a detailed history and physical examination, laboratory assessm...

Motor conduction velocity was measured in the median, ulnar and common peroneal nerves of 32 diabetics with clinical features of autonomic neuropathy. The responses to the Valsalva manoeuvre and sustained handgrip, and the postural fall in blood pressure were used to assess the integrity of the autonomic nervous system. Abnormalities in the three autonomic function tests were significantly corr...