P-1209 - The breathing pattern of acute schizophrenia

Abstract

Background Significant alterations of cardiac autonomic function were shown for patients with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives, implying a genetic association. Cardio-respiratory function, although a core physiological regulatory component, has never been assessed. Methods To test the hypothesis of altered patterns of breathing in patients with acute schizophrenia, we assessed breathing rate, rhythm and depth, as well as heart rate variability (HRV) and cardio-respiratory coupling in patients (n = 23), their first-degree relatives (n = 20) and controls (n = 30). Control subjects were matched for age, gender, smoking and physical fitness, and were investigated a second time by means of a stress task to identify stress-related changes of cardio-respiratory function. Results Patients breathe faster (p Conclusion Changes of respiratory regulation and decreased cardio-respiratory coupling mirror profound alterations of core physiological function. In contrast to HRV changes, respiratory alterations were observed in patients only and might reflect arousal in acutely ill patients. This assumption is supported by observed changes of breathing and cardiac regulation in healthy subjects during stress. Findings are of high relevance for other research areas such as functional imaging.