Autonomic Nervous System Laboratory

The autonomic nervous system laboratory at Boston University was established in 2003 in a collaborative project that includes Departments of Neurology, Cardiology, and Dermatology. The autonomic laboratory serves the needs of colleagues at Boston Medical Center and referrals come from all over New England.

The laboratory performs testing of autonomic functions in Parkinson's disease patients complicated by autonomic dysfunction, atypical parkinsonism, multiple system atrophy, patients with unexplained dizziness, syncope, autonomic neuropathies, orthostatic hypotension, chronic pain syndromes and other disorders where autonomic impairment is suspected. The tests are covered by major insurances.

The test battery includes deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver, tilt test, sudomotor evaluation and skin biopsy stained for nerve fibers. The laboratory has the following equipment: continuous noninvasive blood pressure monitor (Collin), ECG monitor (Collin), transcranial Doppler monitor (DWL), Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Test Monitor (Q-sweat, Medical Electronic), and an electric tilt table. The nerve traffic analysis system is also available for research purposes.

If you are in need of an appointment, please contact our patient scheduler listed below.  Once an appointment is scheduled, you will be given a list of instructions to follow prior to the appointment. Click here for a downloadable version of this list of instructions.

Angel Teixeira
Patient Scheduler
Phone: (617) 638-7979