Absence of parasympathetic denervation of the iris in alcoholics. Issue 11 (November 1979)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Myers, W; Willis, K; Reeves, A
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 42:Issue 11(1979)
• Page Start: 1018
• Page End: 1019
• Publication Date: 1979-11
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.42.11.1018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Forty patients with a history of alcohol abuse were treated with a 2% solution of methacholine to determine the prevalence of iridic parasympathetic denervation. Three (8%) of the alcoholics showed iris constriction of 1.0 mm or more, compared with three (8%) control subjects. In contrast, damage to the iridic parasympathetic nerve supply occurs in approximately 80% of patients with diabetes mellitus as determined by the same pharmacological technique.