Cyclic vomiting associated with excessive dopamine in Riley-day syndrome.

Abstract

GOALS:

To analyze the neurochemical profile during the recurrent attacks of nausea and vomiting in patients with Riley-day syndrome.

BACKGROUND:

One of the most disabling features of patients with Riley-day syndrome are recurrent attacks of severe nausea/retching/vomiting accompanied by hypertension, tachycardia, and skin flushing, usually triggered by emotional or other stresses.

STUDY:

We monitored blood pressure and heart rate and measured plasma catecholamines during typical dysautonomic crises triggered by emotionally charged situations. For comparison, measurements were repeated at follow-up after the symptoms had resolved and the patients were feeling calm and well.

RESULTS:

During a typical attack, patients were hypertensive and tachycardic. In all patients, circulating levels of norepinephrine (P < 0.002) and dopamine (P < 0.007) increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS:

Activation of dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone may explain the cyclic nausea/retching/vomiting of patients with Riley-day syndrome.

• Authors: Lucy J Norcliffe-Kaufmann, Felicia B Axelrod, Horacio Kaufmann
• Journal: Journal of clinical gastroenterology (J Clin Gastroenterol) Vol. 47 Issue 2 Pg. 136-8 (Feb 2013) ISSN: 1539-2031 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22739220 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Dopamine
• Norepinephrine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Blood Pressure
• Child, Preschool
• Dopamine (blood)
• Dysautonomia, Familial (blood, complications, physiopathology, psychology, therapy)
• Emotions
• Female
• Heart Rate
• Humans
• Hypertension (blood, etiology, physiopathology)
• Male
• Norepinephrine (blood)
• Recurrence
• Sympathetic Nervous System (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Tachycardia (blood, etiology, physiopathology)
• Time Factors
• Up-Regulation
• Vomiting (blood, etiology, physiopathology, psychology, therapy)
• Young Adult