Dysautonomia in Neurological Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Dysautonomia refers to a broad spectrum of disorders affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS), leading to impairments in vital functions such as cardiovascular regulation, gastrointestinal function, thermoregulation, and respiratory control. Over the past three decades, significant progress in autonomic disorders has been driven by advances in noninvasive autonomic testing, which have improved diagnostic accuracy, deepened our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, and enabled more targeted therapeutic approaches. In neurological disorders, ANS involvement can occur at various levels of the neural axis, from the brain to the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, contributing to a wide spectrum of disabling symptoms that significantly impact quality of life. Autonomic dysfunction represents a critical yet often underdiagnosed feature of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy and other α-synucleinopathies, autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy, and metabolic, immune-mediated, or genetic neuropathies. Moreover, innovations in neurorepair and neuromodulation for conditions once considered irreversible, such as spinal cord injuries, have led to growing interest in the frequent autonomic complications affecting these patients. This Topic aims to highlight the latest research and clinical advancements in the ANS associated with neurological disorders. We welcome contributions focusing on pathophysiological insights, multimodal diagnostic approaches, and emerging treatment strategies. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between neurosciences and other involved medical disciplines, we hope to expand our understanding of and improve management strategies for autonomic dysfunction in neurological diseases.

Dr. Marco Luigetti
Dr. Francesca Vitali
Topic Editors