Dosage Forms and Methods for Diagnosing Sympathetic Nervous System Dysfunction

摘要

Described are methods for detecting and/or diagnosing systemic sympathetic nervous system dysfunction or disease in a subject. One embodiment comprises using a topical apraclonidine eye drop to detect an ocular condition indicative of sympathetic dysfunction or disease in a subject with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Embodiments can be used to detect and/or diagnose systemic sympathetic nervous system dysfunction or disease early, prior to development of substantial symptoms. Embodiments can also be used to unmask either bilateral ptosis or bilateral Horner's syndrome in GBS patients with the application of the drop to one eye. Also described are dosage forms suitable for use in the methods described herein. The dosage forms comprise an alpha receptor agonist with alpha-1 receptor activity. In one embodiment the dosage form comprises apraclonidine packaged as a single-use eye drop.

主权项

1. A method for detecting and/or diagnosing dysautonomia through the ocular sympathetic nervous system of a subject, comprising:
obtaining one or more first measures of one or more features of the subject's eyes; applying an agent to one of the subject's eyes, wherein the agent is an alpha receptor agonist with alpha-1 receptor activity; obtaining one or more second measures of the one or more features of the subject's eyes; and comparing first and second measures of at least one feature of the subject's eyes; wherein a result of the comparing provides detection and/or diagnosis of the dysfunction in an ocular sympathetic nervous system of a subject.