Respiratory Muscle Weakness Associated with Cerebellar Atrophy

Abstract

Transdiaphragmatic pressures were measured in 3 patients with cerebellar atrophy. Recordings were made during 3 types of voluntary maneuver--maximal sniffs, full inspirations, and maximal static inspiratory efforts, and during bilateral supramaximal phrenic nerve stimulation at 1 Hz. Although diaphragmatic weakness was demonstrated during the voluntary maneuvers, transdiaphragmatic pressures recorded during phrenic nerve stimulation were normal. These findings indicate that diaphragmatic dysfunction, probably caused by ataxia during voluntary maneuvers, may occur in association with cerebellar atrophy. In the presence of diaphragmatic weakness, normal values of transdiaphragmatic pressure during phrenic nerve stimulation may suggest an upper motor neuron lesion affecting the diaphragm.

Olfactory Impairments in Patients with Unilateral Cerebellar Lesions Are Selective to Inputs from the Contralesional Nostril

“…Together, these results suggest that the cerebellum provides a tonic, primarily inhibitory, influence on inspiratory mechanisms of the lower brainstem. Furthermore, patients with cerebellar lesions often have weakness in the muscles of the diaphragm and show respiratory ataxia (Mavlov and Chavdarov, 1968;Mier-Jedrzejowicz and Green, 1988).…”

A Clinical Approach to Chronic Dyspnea

“…37,46 It can also occur with paraneoplastic syndromes or systemic lupus erythematosus. 29,33,36,44,47,48 Despite persistent dyspnea from phrenic nerve disease, exercise capacity may be surprisingly normal. 38,40 Diseases of the neuromuscular junction can be acute (botulism) or chronic (myasthenia gravis).…”