Dr. Payne’s Team Saves Employee. Read more and watch the video

Phoenix Neurological Associates, LTD was just named one of seven international centers of Excellence for Guillan Barre and CIDP. Read more

BITE NITE 2010
Our first fundraiser took place on June 5, 2010 at Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center. PNA Center for Neurological Research teamed up with the ALS Association Arizona Chapter to co-host a night dedicated to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). BITE NITE consisted of 5 top Valley Restaurants, 5th and Wine, Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila, Oregano's Pizza Bistro and Va Bene who served up samplers of their best dishes, with great entertainment by our favorite local band Dearspeak, with silent and live auctions. The night was an absolute blast and a success. People enjoyed great food while enjoying each other’s company for a night that was dedicated to funding ALS research. Thank you for everyone who truly made this night a success. Due to the positive praise and feedback, BITE NITE will be an annual event, so if you weren’t able to attend, we look forward to seeing you there next year! Thanks again for your support, dedication and contributions, we couldn’t have made this night possible without you.

Check out photos from BITE NITE here.

Autonomic Testing

Autonomic tests measure how the systems in the body that are controlled by the autonomic nerves respond to stimulation. The data collected during testing will indicate if the autonomic nervous system is functioning as it should, or if nerve damage has occurred.

What is Autonomic Testing?

The nervous system has three parts: motor, sensory and autonomic. The autonomic system manages all internal functions such as blood pressure, blood flow, and sweating. Autonomic tests are conducted to see if the autonomic nervous system is functioning normally.

The autonomic nervous system can be affected by problems involving the nerves or brain or can occur as the result of certain medications. Symptoms that can occur from problems with the autonomic nervous system include dizziness, fainting, fatigue, rapid heart rate, problems with digestion, abnormal sweating, and impaired sexual functioning. In addition, sometimes patients with numbness and burning in their hands or feet might experience ANS problems (this is because the same type of small nerves that operate the ANS also play a role in sensation).

How is Autonomic Testing performed?

To see if a disease is affecting the autonomic nervous system, several tests are done to monitor blood pressure, blood flow, heart rate, and sweating. By measuring these functions, it is possible to discover whether or not the autonomic nervous system is functioning normally. At Phoenix Neurological, we use the Quantitative Sudomotor Autonomic Reflex Test (QSART), which measures sweating and skin temperature.

Quantitative Sudomotor Autonomic Reflex Test (QSART)

QSART is used to diagnose:

• Painful, small fiber neuropathy when nerve conduction test results are normal
• Disturbances of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the sweat glands, heart, digestive system, other organs, and blood pressure
• Complex pain disorders

How is QSART performed?
The test has three parts and measures resting skin temperature, resting sweat output, and stimulated sweat output. Measurements are typically taken on arms, legs or both. A small plastic cup is placed on the skin and the temperature and amounts of sweat under the skin are measured. To stimulate sweat a chemical is delivered electrically through the skin to a sweat gland, but the patient will only feel warmth. A computer is used to analyze the data to determine how well the nerves and sweat glands are functioning.

How will it feel?
The patient will experience little or no discomfort, but the test could take two or three hours to complete.