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Brain Res Bull 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a trauma-related condition that produces distressing fear memory intrusions, avoidance behaviors, hyperarousal/startle, stress responses and insomnia. This review focuses on the importance of the orexin neural system as a novel mechanism related to the pathophysiology of PTSD. Orexinergic neurons originate in the lateral hypothalamus and project widely to key neurotransmitter system neurons, autonomic neurons, the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis, and fear-related neural circuits. Read More

Braz J Anesthesiol 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.

Background: Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is widely used, and its most common side effect is bradycardia. The complete mechanism through which Dex induces bradycardia has not been elucidated. This research investigates the expression of gap junction proteins Connexin30. Read More

Front Physiol 2022 9;13:879071. Epub 2022 May 9.

Institute of Interdisciplinary Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.

While established methods for determining physiologic exercise thresholds and intensity distribution such as gas exchange or lactate testing are appropriate for the laboratory setting, they are not easily obtainable for most participants. Data over the past two years has indicated that the short-term scaling exponent alpha1 of Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA a1), a heart rate variability (HRV) index representing the degree of fractal correlation properties of the cardiac beat sequence, shows promise as an alternative for exercise load assessment. Unlike conventional HRV indexes, it possesses a dynamic range throughout all intensity zones and does not require prior calibration with an incremental exercise test. Read More

Front Physiol 2022 9;13:874684. Epub 2022 May 9.

Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Changes in the maternal autonomic nervous system are essential in facilitating the physiological changes that pregnancy necessitates. Insufficient autonomic adaptation is linked to complications such as hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. Consequently, tracking autonomic modulation during progressing pregnancy could allow for the early detection of emerging deteriorations in maternal health. Read More

Front Neural Circuits 2022 9;16:884785. Epub 2022 May 9.

Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) was discovered several decades ago in the cat. It was functionally defined based on the ability of low threshold electrical stimuli within a region comprising the cuneiform and pedunculopontine nucleus to evoke locomotion. Since then, similar regions have been found in diverse vertebrate species, including the lamprey, skate, rodent, pig, monkey, and human. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 May 25;12(1):8832. Epub 2022 May 25.

Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland.

Due to the prolonged inflammatory process induced by infection of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), indices of autonomic nervous system dysfunction may persist long after viral shedding. Previous studies showed significant changes in HRV parameters in severe (including fatal) infection of SARS-CoV-2. However, few studies have comprehensively examined HRV in individuals who previously presented as asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases of COVID-19. Read More

Auton Neurosci 2022 May 14;241:102988. Epub 2022 May 14.

Syncope Unit, SOD di Geriatria e UTIG, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Firenze, Italy.

Patients with cardiovascular autonomic failure (AF) may suffer from neurogenic supine hypertension (nSH), defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, after 5 min of rest in the supine position, combined with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) in approximately 50% of the cases. nSH may be the manifestation of central or peripheral autonomic lesions. Long-term risks are hypothesized with SH, including renal dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy, cerebrovascular disease and cognitive impairment. Read More

Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Presidente Prudente SP, Brazil.

Background: Intrinsic changes in Parkinson's disease (PD) affect the autonomic nervous system, and the disease course can aggravate the initial condition. Although the impact of time since disease onset on autonomic modulation has already been studied in other populations, this has not yet been investigated in PD.

Objective: To investigate the impact of the length of time since diagnosis on the cardiac autonomic modulation of individuals with PD and compare with healthy individuals. Read More

Arq Bras Cardiol 2021 Dec;117(6):1161-1169

Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG - Brasil.

Background: Recurrence Plots (RP) enable a nonlinear analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and provide information on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).

Objectives: To evaluate whether early ambulation in patients undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) influences the quantitative and qualitative components of RP.

Methods: A total of 32 participants who underwent PTCA were divided into a Control Group (CG - no physical exercises) and an Early Ambulation Group (EAG - with physical exercises). Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2022 May;18(783):1038-1045

Service de cardiologie, Département de médecine, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 1211 Genève 14.

Up to 90% of patients with acute central nervous system lesions, such as stroke, exhibit secondary ECG abnormalities, including ST elevation/depression, T wave inversion, prominent U wave, prolonged QTc interval, sinus bradycardia/pause and atrioventricular block. The pathophysiology involves autonomic nervous system disturbance resulting in altered ventricular repolarization gradients, or even myocardial lesions. Clinical assessment aims at distinguishing asymptomatic neurogenic ECG abnormalities from organic heart conditions such as Takotsubo syndrome, myocardial infarction and chronic coronary syndromes. Read More

Turk J Pediatr 2022 ;64(2):381-384

Division of Intensive Care Unit, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.

Background: Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a disorder due to the loss of regulation of autonomic activity. The most common condition predisposing to the development of PSH is traumatic brain injury (TBI), followed by anoxic brain injury, stroke, tumors, and infections. Awareness about the condition and early recognition is important to avoid life threatening complications. Read More

Turk J Pediatr 2022 ;64(2):364-374

Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Health Sciences, Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Education and Research Hospital, İzmir.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the immunoglobulin μ-binding protein-2 (IGHMBP2) gene on chromosome 11q13.2-q13.4. Read More

medRxiv 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Background And Objectives: Various peripheral neuropathies, particularly those with sensory and autonomic dysfunction may occur during or shortly after acute COVID-19 illnesses. These appear most likely to reflect immune dysregulation. If similar manifestations can occur with the vaccination remains unknown. Read More

Biomed Eng Online 2022 May 24;21(1):32. Epub 2022 May 24.

Labfront (Kiipo Co.), Boston, USA.

Background: The current method to evaluate the autonomic balance after renal denervation (RDN) relies on heart rate variability (HRV). However, parameters of HRV were not always predictive of response to RDN. Therefore, the complexity and disorder of heart rhythm, measured by entropy of entropy (EoE) and average entropy (AE), have been used to analyze autonomic dysfunction. Read More

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2022 May;57(5):584-588

Department of Electrocardiogram, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450014, China.

To analyze the characteristics of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with vestibular migraine (VM) and to explore its possible mechanism. Forty-eight patients with VM [17 males and 31 females, age (36.2±9. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2022 May 24;22(1):204. Epub 2022 May 24.

Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital (KYS), P.O. Box 100, 70029, Kuopio, Finland.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with vascular diseases from which stroke and sudden cardiac death are the most significant ones. It is known that disturbances of the autonomic nervous system and electrocardiographic changes are seen in patients with a previous cerebrovascular event. However, the pathophysiological cascade between breathing cessations, autonomic regulation, and cardiovascular events is not fully understood. Read More

J Neurol Sci 2022 May 14;438:120281. Epub 2022 May 14.

Department of Neurology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan. Electronic address:

To elucidate clinically useful imaging characteristics of multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C) at the initial stage showing pure cerebellar ataxia but unfilling consensus criteria (MSA-pc), clinical and neuroradiological analyses on cerebral MRI and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were performed. Seven MSA-pc patients meeting the above condition at an initial evaluation were identified, and all the MSA-pc patients later developed autonomic dysfunction and finally fulfilled the criteria for probable or possible category of MSA-C. For comparison, two patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 and three patients with idiopathic cerebellar ataxia who did not exhibit autonomic dysfunction for more than three years were enrolled in this study (non-MSA-pc). Read More

Neurol Sci 2022 May 24. Epub 2022 May 24.

Dipartimento Di Scienze Dell'Invecchiamento, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Neurologiche, Rome, Italy.

Introduction: Evidence is emerging about an extra-pulmonary involvement of SARS-CoV-2, including the nervous system. Autonomic dysfunction in patients recovering from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been recently described. Dysautonomic symptoms have been reported in the acute phase of the disease, but clear evidence is lacking, especially in the non-critical forms of the infection. Read More

J Neurol 2022 May 24. Epub 2022 May 24.

Neurotoxin Research Center of Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Neurological Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, 200065, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

T lymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), while the heterogeneity of T-cell subpopulations remains elusive. In this study, we analyzed up to 22 subpopulations of T lymphocytes in 115 PD patients and 60 matched healthy controls (HC) using flow cytometry. We found that PD patients exhibited decreased naïve CD8 T cells (CD3 CD8 CD45RA CD45RO) and increased late-differentiated CD4 T cells (CD3 CD4 CD28 CD27), compared to HC, which were not affected by anti-parkinsonism medication administration. Read More

Physiol Rep 2022 May;10(10):e15298

Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Low estradiol status is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We sought to determine the association between heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of cardiovascular risk, at baseline and in response to stressor as a function of menopausal status, menstrual cycle phase and estradiol level. Forty-one healthy women (13 postmenopausal, 28 premenopausal) were studied. Read More

Intern Med J 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Epworth HealthCare, Richmond, Australia.

Background: Exclusion of stroke is the focus of guidelines in Emergency Department assessment of acute vertigo, especially with new onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Early diagnosis of vestibular neuritis (VN) is also important but may be deferred awaiting brain MRI for exclusion of stroke. This may delay potentially beneficial corticosteroid therapy. Read More

Heliyon 2022 May 14;8(5):e09421. Epub 2022 May 14.

Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.

IEI-EMF refers to a self-reported sensitivity characterized by attribution of non-specific physical symptoms to exposure to weak EMFs. The majority of empirical results do not support the existence of a causal relationship between EMF and IEI-EMF. However, this conclusion was drawn from environmental and experimental studies that are not without methodological limitations. Read More

Laryngorhinootologie 2022 May 23;101(S 01):S114-S143. Epub 2022 May 23.

Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, KRH Klinikum Nordstadt, Hannover.

Numerous studies confirm that the vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an efficient, indirect neuromodulatory therapy with electrically induced current for epilepsy that cannot be treated by epilepsy surgery and is therapy-refractory and for drug therapy-refractory depression. VNS is an established, evidence-based and in the long-term cost-effective therapy in an interdisciplinary overall concept.Long-term data on the safety and tolerance of the method are available despite the heterogeneity of the patient populations. Read More

Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2022 May 13;99:62-64. Epub 2022 May 13.

Department of Neurology, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. Electronic address:

We evaluate the effect of droxidopa on gait and balance measures in nine patients with Parkinson's disease and neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Computerized gait/balance analysis showed a significant effect of droxidopa in reducing postural sway. Future studies may determine if such effect translates into improvement in postural reflexes and falls. Read More

Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022 May 13;142:105799. Epub 2022 May 13.

Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University, Georgia. Electronic address:

Prior study has found that the interplay of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) influences behavior problems in youth. Yet, little is known regarding this relationship in adults and traits related to the coordination of the stress systems. This study aims to extend the findings of a youth sample that the coordination between HPA and ANS, measured as cortisol and alpha-amylase (AA) respectively, was associated with antisocial behavior in adults. Read More

Vestn Otorinolaringol 2022 ;87(2):57-61

St. Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech, St. Petersburg, Russia.

The article presents the clinical case of supralabyrinthine petrous bone cholesteatoma. We have analyzed the preoperative examination of the patient for identification method of surgical treatment with preservation the facial nerve, improvement hearing function and reducing risk of recurrent cholesteatoma, perioperative findings and the end result of surgical treatment. Read More

Surg Radiol Anat 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Department of Gynecological and Breast Surgery and Oncology, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, 75013, Paris, France.

Background: The placement of posterior mesh during pelvic organ prolapse laparoscopic surgery has been incriminated as responsible for postoperative adverse outcomes such as digestive symptoms, chronic pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction. These complications may be related to neural injuries that occur during the fixation of the posterior mesh on the levator ani muscle.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to describe the course of the autonomic nerves of the pararectal space and their anatomical relationship with the posterior mesh fixation zone on the levator ani muscle. Read More

Pediatr Diabetes 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Objective: To describe bone mineral density (BMD), bone structure and fracture prevalence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and explore their associations with glycemic control and microvascular complications.

Study Design: Cross sectional study of 64 adolescents (38 males) with T1D duration >10 years who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), fracture survey, plantar fascia thickness and microvascular complications assessment.

Results: Mean age was 16. Read More

Dev Psychobiol 2022 Jul;64(5):e22282

Department of General Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Children continually encounter situations where they must regulate impulsive responses to achieve a goal, requiring both self-control (SC) and delay of gratification. We examined concurrent behavioral SC strategies (fidgeting, vocalizations, anticipation) and physiological regulation (heart rate [HR], respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) in 126 children (M (SD) = 5.4 (0. Read More

Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022 Feb 1;43:46-53. Epub 2021 Sep 1.

Departments of Physiology and Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.

The amygdala plays a central role in emotion and social behavior, yet its role in processing social and affective touch is not well established. Longitudinal studies reveal that touch-deprived infants show later in life exaggerated emotional reactivity related to structural and functional changes in the amygdala and other brain structures. The internal organization and connectivity of the amygdala is well-suited to process the sensory features of tactile stimuli and also the socio-cognitive dimensions of the received touch. Read More