Vanderbilt’s Autonomic Dysfunction Center

The Vanderbilt’s Autonomic Dysfunction Center (VADC) a non-profit clinical facility, provides treatment, conducts clinical research, and offers support resources and referrals to adults with conditions and disorders characterized by autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Such conditions and disorders include orthostatic hypotension, Bradbury Eggleston syndrome, Shy Drager syndrome, and multiple system atrophy. The autonomic nervous system controls a variety of vital involuntary body functions including regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and bowel and bladder control. As a result, autonomic nervous system dysfunction may result in a variety of symptoms and findings such as unusually low blood pressure while standing upright (orthostatic hypotension), impairment or loss of bladder and bowel control, and/or deficiency or absence of sweating. Established in 1978, the Autonomic Dysfunction Center provides treatment to adults with autonomic nervous system dysfunction and conducts ongoing clinical research studies, regularly publishes research results within the peer-reviewed medical literature, and provides supportive services for affected individuals and family members.