Autonomic Nervous System Case Study

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Case Study

• A couple in Queensland, Australia, consumed mushrooms they believed to be edible.
• The 55-year-old man ate one mushroom, and the 53-year-old woman ate two of the largest specimens.
• Symptoms emerged within 30 minutes for the woman, including flushing, salivation, watery eyes, nausea, and vomiting.
• Her husband also vomited but had no other noticeable symptoms.
• The couple drove 200 km to the nearest hospital.
• Upon arrival, the woman presented with headache, chest and abdominal pain, frequent urination, vomiting, and profuse sweating, and diarrhea.
• Blood pressure was measured at 80/60 mmHg, and heart rate at 45 beats/min.
• The patient was administered Atropine.
• Blood pressure and heart rate rose to 110/65 mmHg and 65 beats/min, respectively.
• Symptoms subsided, and the patient made a full recovery.
• The mushrooms were identified as Rubinoboletus sensu lato pro tempe (a type of bolete mushroom) which contain muscarine.

ANS Organization and Function

• The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary bodily functions.
• Two main branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic.
• Different neurotransmitters are involved at different stages of the pathway (pre- and postganglionic).
• Effectors (organs like the heart and blood vessels) react in specific ways to these neurotransmitters, which can be influenced by external substances.

Muscarinic Effects

• Muscarinic receptors are targeted by muscarine found in mushrooms.
• This will influence which branch of the parasympathetic system.
• The parasympathetic system typically lowers heart rate and blood pressure and increases secretions, so the outcome will be as seen in the case study.

Normal Physiological Values

• Normal blood pressure for a 50-year-old woman would vary, but typically falls in a certain range.
• Normal heart rate for a 50-year-old woman would vary, but typically falls in a certain range.
• Data from the case study shows deviation from these ranges. These are caused by poisoning.

Physiological Changes

• The ingestion of poisonous mushrooms caused changes to blood pressure, heart rate, sweat, digestion, and other functions.

Atropine's Effects

• Atropine acts as an antagonist at muscarinic receptors, counteracting muscarine's action on these receptors.
• It increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
• Atropine effectively reverses the poisoning symptoms.

Long-Term Effects

• The man did not experience long-term effects because he only consumed one mushroom and didn't have a significant amount of the toxin.

Cooking's Impact

• Cooking could have affected the types of toxins in the mushroom and how they're broken down in the body.
• The cooking process could have altered the toxin in a way that made it less potent or produced other chemicals (potentially beneficial or harmful).

This case study explores the effects of mushroom poisoning on the autonomic nervous system in a couple. It details the symptoms, medical response, and recovery of the affected individuals, highlighting the toxic properties of Rubinoboletus sensu lato pro tempe. Understand the critical role of atropine and the importance of timely medical intervention.