Adrenaline of epinephrine can be seen in autonomic neuropathy or following adrenalectomy. Failure of the adrenal cortex, as with Addisons disease, can suppress epinephrine secretion as the activity of the synthesing enzyme, phenylethanolamine-"N"-methyltransferase, depends on the high concentration of cortisol that drains from the cortex to the medulla. In 1901, Jokichi Takamine patented a purified extract from the adrenal glands, and called it "adrenalin" (from the Latin for "on top of the kidneys" ("ad" and "renal"), which was trademarked by Parke, Davis & Co in the US. The British Approved Name and European Pharmacopoeia term for this drug is hence "adrenaline".
Primary autonomic failure Primary autonomic failure Primary autonomic failure (also called primary dysautonomia) refers to a category of dysautonomias -- conditions in which the autonomic nervous system does not function properly. In primary dysautonomias, the autonomic dysfunction occurs as a primary condition (as opposed to resulting from another disease). Autonomic failure is categorized as "primary" when believed to result from a chronic condition characterized by degeneration of the autonomic nervous system, or where autonomic failure is the predominant symptom and its cause is unknown. Such "primary" dysautonomias are distinguished from secondary dysautonomias, where the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is believed to