Autonomic Nervous System Stress Research Articles

Effect of Prenatal Yoga versus Moderate-Intensity Walking on Cardiorespiratory Adaptation to Acute Psychological Stress: Insights from Non-Invasive Beat-to-Beat Monitoring.

We recently reported enhanced parasympathetic activation at rest throughout pregnancy associated with regular yoga practice. The present study presents a secondary analysis of data collected within a prospective cohort study of 33 pregnant women practicing yoga once weekly throughout pregnancy and 36 controls not involved in formal pregnancy exercise programs. The objective was to assess the impact of prenatal yoga on the autonomic nervous system stress response. Healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancies were recruited in the first trimester. There was no significant difference in the maternal body mass index (BMI) between the yoga group and the controls (24.06 ± 3.55 vs. 23.74 ± 3.43 kg/m2, p = 0.693). Women practicing yoga were older (28.6 ± 3.9 vs. 31.3 ± 3.5 years, p = 0.005) and more often nulliparous (26 (79%) vs. 18 (50%), p = 0.001). We studied heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in the time domain (SDNN, standard deviation of regular R-R intervals, and RMSSD, square root of mean squared differences of successive R-R intervals) and frequency domain (ln(LF/HF), natural logarithm of low-frequency to high-frequency power), as well as synchronization indices of heart rate, blood pressure and respiration during and immediately following acute psychological stress of a standardized mental challenge test. Measurements were performed once per trimester before and after yoga or a 30 min moderate-intensity walk. Statistical comparison was performed using three-way analyses of variance (p < 0.05 significant). Time domain HRV parameters during and following mental challenge in the yoga group were significantly higher compared to the controls regardless of the trimester (F = 7.22, p = 0.009 for SDNN and F = 9.57, p = 0.003 for RMSSD, respectively). We observed no significant differences in the yoga group vs. the controls in terms of ln(LF/HF) and synchronization indices. Regular prenatal yoga practice was associated with a significantly reduced sympathetic response to mental challenge and quicker recovery after acute psychological stress. These effects persisted throughout pregnancy with regular practice.

Pilot Study of the Effects of Paced Breathing on Measures of Convergent and Divergent Thinking.

The ability of the autonomic nervous system's stress response to impair aspects of cognitive flexibility is known. However, the ability to modulate the sympathetic response and improve these cognitive impairments via nonpharmacological intervention, such as paced breathing (PB), requires further investigation. To better elucidate the effects of PB on cognition. We employed a PB protocol in a total of 52 healthy men and women and measured performance on convergent and divergent cognitive tasks, perceived stress, and physiological measures (eg, blood pressure, heart rate). Participants attended two experimental sessions consisting of either PB or normal breathing followed by cognitive assessments including convergent (compound remote associate, anagram) and divergent (alternate use, fluency) tasks. Experiment 2 consisted of more difficult versions of cognitive tasks compared with Experiment 1. In Experiment 1, PB significantly reduced the female participants' systolic and diastolic blood pressure immediately after the breathing protocol without affecting their cognition. In Experiment 2, PB significantly reduced perceived stress immediately after the breathing protocol, regardless of sex. There was no effect on cognition in Experiment 2, but a correlation was observed between perceived stress change and anagram number solved change. While PB modulates sympathetic activity in females, there was a lack of improvement in cognitive flexibility performance. At least for a single trial of PB, cognitive flexibility did not improve.

Cardiac autonomic functioning and clinical outcome in adolescent borderline personality disorder over two years

The present study aimed to expand on previous findings that pre-treatment autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning serves as a predictor of clinical outcome in adolescent borderline personality disorder (BPD), while examining whether the relationship between ANS functioning and treatment outcome may vary as a function of early life maltreatment (ELM). ANS stress response was examined considering changes in heart rate (HR) and vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) over different conditions of the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST) in a clinical sample of N = 27 adolescents across the spectrum of BPD severity. Participants received in- and/or outpatient treatment, while clinical data was assessed at routine follow-ups. Clinical outcome was defined by change in the number of fulfilled BPD criteria (as measured using the SCID-II), severity of psychopathology (CGI-S), and global level of functioning (GAF), measured 12 and 24 months after baseline assessments. Mixed-effects (random-intercept/random slope) linear regression models were calculated to examine markers of ANS function as potential predictors of clinical outcome. Irrespective of the presence of ELM exposure, both vmHRV resting-state and stress recovery measures were identified as significant predictors of clinical outcome over time. This study adds to the existing literature by replicating and expanding on preliminary findings, considering also physiological reactivity and recovery in addition to resting-state measures of ANS functioning. The present results further highlight the potential of markers of ANS functioning to serve as objective measures in the process of monitoring patient progress and to make predictions regarding treatment outcome in psychiatry research.

Skeletal muscle status, autonomic balance and short-term results of cardiac surgery

Purpose — To study the association between the status of lower extremities’ skeletal muscles and autonomic balance with the short-term results of cardiac surgery patients. Methods — 64 patients (57 men, median age 63 years) who underwent non-urgent cardiac surgery at the Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases clinic from March 2015 to March 2016 were included in the study. Patients with exacerbation of underlying disease were excluded from the study. Additionally, muscle status of the patients was assessed using static-dynamic tests on a multifunctional training apparatus, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) state was evaluated using the ORTOexpert program during an active orthostatic test. 9 patients developed complications in the postoperative period; groups with the postoperative complications present and absent were compared according to the studied preoperative indicators. Results — The following indicators were revealed more often prior to the surgery in the group with the postoperative complications: cardiac arrhythmias (p=0.023), aortic valve regurgitation (p=0.002), left ventricle aneurysm (p=0.007), carotid stenosis (p=0.036), decreased muscle strength of the upper and lower extremities (p=0.047 and p=0.046), sympathetic activation (LF/HF ratio p=0.028), and ANS stress in response to the test. Conclusion — Low status of skeletal muscles (upper and lower extremities) and ANS sympathetic activation and the overstrain of its adaptive mechanisms were associated with development of postoperative complications after cardiac surgery, along with severity of the underlying cardiac pathology, risk and duration of the surgery.

Differences in the autonomic nervous system stress status of urban and rural school teachers

The aim of the present study was to analyze differences in the autonomic stress status between rural and urban school teachers. We analyzed the autonomic modulation in 25 pre-school and primary school teachers (40±7.8 years) from a city school (n:11) and rural school (n:14) by the heart rate variability analysis. Rural school teachers presented significative higher values in RMSSD, pNN50 and SD1 heart rate variability variables than city teachers, related with better autonomic control. Working place location is a variable that affects the psychophysiological stress response in education professionals, since city school teachers presented a higher sympathetic modulation, showing a lower heart rate variability, than rural school teachers.

Reduced caregiving quality measured during the strange situation procedure increases child\u2019s autonomic nervous system stress response

BackgroundDysfunctional maternal behavior has been shown to lead to disturbances in infant’s regulatory capacities and alterations in vagal reactivity. We aim to investigate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) response of the child during the strange situation procedure (SSP) in relation to the quality of maternal behavior.MethodsTwelve month after birth, 163 mother–child-dyads were investigated during the SSP. Heart rate (HR) and both, the parasympathetic branch (PNS) via the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and the sympathetic branch (SNS) via the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) of the ANS were continuously determined during the SSP using electrocardiogram (ECG) and impedance cardiogram (ICG) measures. Maternal behavior was assessed by using the AMBIANCE measure.ResultsThe ANS response in infants of mothers with disruptive behavior compared to infants of non-disruptive mothers was significantly altered during the SSP: HR increased especially when infants of disruptive mothers were alone with the stranger (F (1, 161) = 4.15, p = .04) with a significant vagal withdrawal when being in contact with the stranger despite of presence of the mother (F (1, 161) = 5.11, p = .03) and a significant increase in vagal tone during final reunion (F (1, 161) = 3.76, p = .05). HR increase was mainly based on a decrease in LVET (F (1, 161) = 4.08, p = .05) with a maximum infant’s HR when the stranger came into the room instead of the mother.ConclusionBoth, SNS and PNS branches of the child are significantly altered in terms of an ANS imbalance, especially during contract to a stranger, in relation to dysfunctional maternal behavior. Our findings suggest the importance of supporting high quality caregiving that enables the infant to adapt adequately to stressful interpersonal situations which is likely to promote later health.

Polymorphic variation in the SLC5A7 gene influences infant autonomic reactivity and self-regulation: A neurobiological model for ANS stress responsivity and infant temperament

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of polymorphic variation in the solute carrier family 5 member 7 (SLC5A7) gene on autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart rate (HR) in infants during a dyadic stressor, as well as maternal report of infant self-regulation. Given evidence of race differences in older individuals, race was specifically examined. MethodsRSA and HR were collected from 111 infants during the still-face paradigm (SFP). Mothers completed the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised short-form. Multi-level mixed effects models examined the impact of SLC5A7 genotype on RSA and HR across the SFP. Linear models tested the influence of genotype on the relation between RSA, HR, and maternal report of infant self-regulation. ResultsSLC5A7 genotype significantly predicted RSA stress responsivity (β = −0.023; p = 0.028) and HR stress responsivity (β = 0.004; p = 0.002). T-allele carriers exhibited RSA suppression and HR acceleration in response to stress while G/G homozygotes did not suppress RSA and exhibited less HR acceleration. All infants exhibited modest RSA augmentation and HR deceleration during recovery. Race-stratified analyses revealed that White T-allele carriers drove the overall results for both RSA (β = −0.044; p = 0.007) and HR (β = 0.006; p = 0.008) with no relation between SLC5A7 genotype and RSA or HR in Black infants. Maternal report of infant orienting/regulation was predicted by the interaction of SLC5A7 genotype and both RSA recovery (β = 0.359; p = 0.001) and HR recovery (β = −1.659; p = 0.020). RSA augmentation and HR deceleration during recovery were associated with higher maternal reports of self-regulation among T-allele carriers, a finding again primarily driven by White infants. ConclusionsEarly in development, genetic contributions to ANS are evident and predict maternal report of infant self-regulation within White infants, consistent with prior literature. The lack of associations in Black infants suggest that race differences in physiological reactivity and self-regulation are emerging during the first year of life potentially providing early evidence of disparities in health risk trajectories.

Examination of the Impact of Condensed Biofeedback Training on Acute Stress Responses

The objective of this study was to measure the effects of a condensed 90 minute Biofeedback Training (BFT) method on stress response and decision making performance under stress. Forty one novice male participants received either BFT training, which incorporated diaphragmatic breathing with Stress Inoculation Training (SIT), or a control training task. Participants completed pre- and post-training assessments which incorporated a socio evaluative stress induction method followed immediately by performance of a simulation-based decision making under stress scenario. Stress was assessed using real-time physiological measures of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) response and cortisol measures of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis stress response. Perceived stress was measured using the state portion of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and decision making performance was assessed during scenario performance. Results showed that participants in the BFT condition experienced a significant reduction in cortisol from pre-training to post-training, while the control group did not. However, BFT participants did not experience statistically significant reductions in ANS stress response or in perceived stress compared to the control group. Participants in the biofeedback group experienced greater improvements in performance from pre-training to post-training compared to the control group; however, these results only approached statistical significance (p = 0.09). These results suggest that the condensed BFT method has the potential to impart the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the biofeedback-based coping mechanisms; however, it may require additional practice time to allow the technique to be utilized more effectively.

The effect of a single HF-rTMS session over the left DLPFC on the physiological stress response as measured by heart rate variability.

Previous research has demonstrated that prefrontal activity is related to control over stress responses. However, the causal mechanisms are not well understood. In this study we investigated the possible influence of brain stimulation on the physiological stress response system. Because an increased stress response is known to precipitate psychiatric disorders, further inquiry can have important clinical implications. In 38 healthy, right-handed female participants, we examined the effects of a single sham-controlled high-frequency (HF) repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) session over the left (n = 19) and right (n = 19) dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on the autonomic nervous system stress response, as measured by heart rate variability (HRV). Stress was transiently induced through evaluative negative feedbacks. Although the induction procedure was efficient in increasing self-reported distress in all groups and conditions, only after real HF-rTMS over the left DLPFC the physiological stress response was diminished, as indicated by a significant increase in HRV. No effects were found in the sham or right side stimulation condition. These findings demonstrate that increasing brain activity by HF-rTMS over the left DLPFC can help attenuating physiological stress reactions. Results are indicative of the positive effects of rTMS on stress resilience and underscore the possible benefit of HF-rTMS as a transdiagnostic intervention. Finally, the results also show that effects only occur when stimulating the left DLPFC, which is in line with the therapeutic effects of HF-rTMS in affective disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record

Basal autonomic activity, stress reactivity, and increases in metabolic syndrome components over time

ContextBasal autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning has been linked to the metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the role of ANS reactivity in response to stress remains unclear. ObjectiveTo examine cross-sectionally and longitudinally to what extent ANS basal level and stress reactivity are related to MetS. Design2-year and 6-year data from a prospective cohort: the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. SettingParticipants were recruited from the general community, primary care, and mental health care organizations. Participants1922 respondents (mean age=43.7years). Main outcome measuresIndicators of ANS functioning were heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and pre-ejection period (PEP). ANS stress reactivity was measured during a cognitively challenging stressor and a personal-emotional stressor. MetS components included triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and waist circumference. ResultsCross-sectional analyses indicated that higher basal HR, lower basal values of RSA and PEP, and higher RSA reactivity during cognitive challenge were related to less favorable values of almost all individual MetS components. Longitudinal analyses showed that higher basal HR and shorter basal PEP predicted 4-year increase in many MetS abnormalities. Higher RSA stress reactivity during cognitive challenge predicted 4-year increase in number of MetS components. ConclusionHigher basal sympathetic, lower basal parasympathetic activity, and increased parasympathetic withdrawal during stress are associated with multiple MetS components, and higher basal sympathetic activity predicts an increase in metabolic abnormalities over time. These findings support a role for ANS dysregulation in the risk for MetS and, consequently, the development of cardiovascular disease.

Early life peripheral lipopolysaccharide challenge reprograms the glial cells and catecholaminergic neurons

Neonatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure has been shown to elicit adult anxiety-like behaviour. Additionally, neonatal LPS induces long-term alterations in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning, as well as increased neuroinflammation. The current research examines the long-term effects of a neonatal LPS challenge on the neuroinflammatory and catecholaminergic profile in several brain regions involved in the dopaminergic and noradrenergic circuitry. Animals were exposed to LPS or equivolume saline on post-natal day (PND) 3 and 5, and left undisturbed until sacrificed in adulthood (PND85). Brain regions were collected and probed for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) phosphorylation, as a marker of catecholaminergic activity, and for microglial (Iba-1), and astrocyte (GFAP) protein expression. Iba-1 expression was significantly upregulated in the substantia nigra (SN). The ventral tegmental area (VTA) expressed significant increases in TH activity at pSer40 and in overall TH activity. The locus coeruleus (LC) expressed a significant 4-fold increase in overall TH activation, and significant increased GFAP expression. Previous research from our laboratory has demonstrated significant increases in TH phosphorylation in the adrenals of neonatally LPS-treated animals both acutely and long-term. This novel study demonstrates neonatal LPS induces sustained TH activity and concomitant immune expression in brain regions implicated in the control of HPA and ANS stress responses and associated anxiety-like behaviours, elucidating potential mechanisms underpinning later-life behavioural dysregulation.

Caregiving and 5-HTTLPR Genotype Predict Adolescent Physiological Stress Reactivity: Confirmatory Tests of Gene×Environment Interactions.

A theory-driven confirmatory approach comparing diathesis-stress and differential susceptibility models of Gene×Environment (G×E) interactions was applied to examine whether 5-HTTLPR genotype moderated the effect of early maternal caregiving on autonomic nervous system (ANS) stress reactivity in 113 adolescents aged 13-17years. Findings supported a differential susceptibility, rather than diathesis-stress, framework. Carriers of one or more 5-HTTLPR short alleles (SS/SL carriers) reporting higher quality caregiving exhibited approach ANS responses to a speech task, whereas those reporting lower quality caregiving exhibited withdrawal ANS responses. Carriers of two 5-HTTLPR long alleles (LL carriers) were unaffected by caregiving. Findings suggest that 5-HTTLPR genotype and early caregiving in interaction are associated with ANS stress reactivity in adolescents in a "for better and for worse" fashion, and they demonstrate the promise of confirmatory methods for testing G×E interactions.

The acute autonomic stress response and amniotic fluid glucocorticoids in second-trimester pregnant women.

The maternal autonomic nervous system (ANS) has received little attention in the investigation of biological mechanisms linking prenatal stress to fetal cortisol (F) excess. In vitro, norepinephrine and epinephrine inhibit placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), which protects the fetus from F overexposure by inactivating it to cortisone (E). Here, we investigated the acute ANS stress response to an amniocentesis and its association with amniotic fluid F, E, and E/(E + F) as a marker of fetoplacental 11β-HSD2 activity. An aliquot of amniotic fluid was obtained from 34 healthy, second-trimester pregnant women undergoing amniocentesis. Repeated assessment of mood states served to examine the psychological stress response to amniocentesis. Saliva samples were collected to measure stress-induced changes in salivary α-amylase concentrations in response to amniocentesis. Cardiac parameters were measured continuously. Undergoing amniocentesis induced significant psychological and autonomic alterations. Low-frequency (LF)/high-frequency (HF) baseline, suggested to reflect sympathovagal balance, was negatively correlated with amniotic E/(E + F) (r=-0.53, p = .002) and positively with F (r = 0.62, p < .001). In contrast, a stronger acute LF/HF response was positively associated with E/(E + F) (r = 0.44, p = .012) and negatively with F (r=-0.40, p = .025). These findings suggest that the maternal ANS is involved in the regulation of the fetoplacental barrier to stress. Allostatic processes may have been initiated to counterbalance acute stress effects. In contrast, higher LF/HF baseline values, possibly indicative of chronic stress exposure, may have inhibited 11β-HSD2 activity in the fetoplacental unit. These results parallel animal findings of up-regulated placental 11β-HSD2 in response to acute stress but impairment under chronic stress.

Interrelation between psychophysiological indices and autonomic adaptive response youth information overload

Nowaday humanity lives in a super information world, which is marked by an increase in volume of auditory and visual information, the acceleration of change in the objective and the spirit world, increase information load in the form of electromagnetic waves caused by man. This can lead to information overload, the essence of which is that the amount of useful information coming exceed the objective possibilities of perception. The singular group, which is over loaded by information – the students. The aim of the presented work was to identify the relationship between psychophysiological indices and vegetative adaptive responses of the students from the Dnepropetrovsk National University of Oles Gonchar on information overload, which may form the basis for the formation of curricula and educational work in high school and would like to offer some prognostic model of the functional state of the students in today's environment. The study involved 120 students volunteer 2–3 courses of natural specialties Dnepropetrovsk National University of Oles Gonchar. To determine the physiological features and functional state of the students the program «Psychodiagnostics» was used. For registration of heart rate variability a heart rate monitor POLAR RS800CX was used. Testing was conducted before and after the information load. Information load carried by means of tests Schulte, Bourdon and Gorbova granted in computerized form. In boys enrolled in natural specialties found high rates of properties of neural processes. Under the influence of information load indicator latent period of reaction time choosing two out of three was significantly decreased by 15 % and the rate of functional mobility of nervous processes that characterize the strength of nervous processes significantly decreased by 17 %. Mobility and balance the nervous processes when information load decreased. These changes in performance can indicate the presence of an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system stress due to information load. Resulting in uneven tasks and the lack of a clear rhythm work. Under the influence of information load significantly increased capacity is very high-frequency range (VLF, ms2) and total power (Total, ms2). Exceeding the indicator VLF, may indicate an increased influence of humoral-metabolic mechanisms regulating heart rate. There is a tendency to increase of high-capacity and low-frequency spectra, and reduce the percentage of very low-frequency (HF) range. Also, the rate of vago-sympathetic tone (LF/HF) 2 times higher than normal, which may indicate the presence sympathicotonia. Indicators spectral analysis of heart rate variability was significantly increased, the rate of the average standard deviation (SDNN) increased by 23 % and the prevalence rate of parasympathetic regulation of sympathetic link link (pNN50) by 37 %. These changes indicate activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system and low adaptive capacities of the autonomic nervous system. Our investigations have shown that young natural specialties of Dnepropetrovsk National University of Oles Gonchar are influenced by information load significantly deteriorated physiological parameters and heart rate variability. Infringement of autonomic adaptive responses leads to a decline in physical and mental performance of boys.

Model-based prediction of autoregulatory exhaustion in response to lower-body negative pressure–induced shock

We assessed the ability of a normalized autonomic nervous system (ANS) stress measure defined as an increase in the percentage of pulse rate from a baseline homeostasis state to identify corresponding changes in circulating blood volume to quantitatively recognize hypovolemia and predict subsequent autoregulatory exhaustion. Autoregulatory exhaustion is defined as the point where decreased circulatory volume exceeds the compensatory mechanism capacity to maintain flow and pressure. We derived frequency-based measures of pulse rate and pulse strength using a reflective pulse oximeter waveform of a photoplethysmograph placed on the forehead. This study was performed at the Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, in June 2010. Ten healthy subjects (5 each male and female) were placed supine in a lower-body negative-pressure chamber to induce central volume loss. Systolic blood pressure was continuously measured, and a value of less than 90 mm Hg defined autoregulatory exhaustion. Derived measures of circulating blood volume were compared with echocardiographic measures to access photoplethysmograph-derived circulatory volume measure relative to traditional cardiac hemodynamics. All 10 subjects produced consistent patterns of response characterized as a progressively increasing ANS stress in response to increasing lower-body negative pressure. Three subjects exhibited autoregulatory exhaustion, and ANS stress increased markedly on the step before displaying hypotension in these subjects but not the others. Results demonstrate the potential to use model-based measures to serve as a definitive presymptom predictive tool to recognize an impending hypovolemic condition, making this approach suitable for chronic care or for the management of hemodialysis patient where resting baseline measures can be obtained.