State Of Autonomic Nervous System Research Articles

Zooming into the Complex Dynamics of Electrodermal Activity Recorded during Emotional Stimuli: A Multiscale Approach.

Physiological phenomena exhibit complex behaviours arising at multiple time scales. To investigate them, techniques derived from chaos theory were applied to physiological signals, providing promising results in distinguishing between healthy and pathological states. Fractal-like properties of electrodermal activity (EDA), a well-validated tool for monitoring the autonomic nervous system state, have been reported in previous literature. This study proposes the multiscale complexity index of electrodermal activity (MComEDA) to discern different autonomic responses based on EDA signals. This method builds upon our previously proposed algorithm, ComEDA, and it is empowered with a coarse-graining procedure to provide a view at multiple time scales of the EDA response. We tested MComEDA's performance on the EDA signals of two publicly available datasets, i.e., the Continuously Annotated Signals of Emotion (CASE) dataset and the Affect, Personality and Mood Research on Individuals and Groups (AMIGOS) dataset, both containing physiological data recorded from healthy participants during the view of ultra-short emotional video clips. Our results highlighted that the values of MComEDA were significantly different (p-value < 0.05 after Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni's correction) when comparing high- and low-arousal stimuli. Furthermore, MComEDA outperformed the single-scale approach in discriminating among different valence levels of high-arousal stimuli, e.g., showing significantly different values for scary and amusing stimuli (p-value = 0.024). These findings suggest that a multiscale approach to the nonlinear analysis of EDA signals can improve the information gathered on task-specific autonomic response, even when ultra-short time series are considered.

MECHANISMS OF VASOPROTECTION AND CARDIOPROTECTION IN HYPOXYTHERAPY OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Highlights The article presents a modern understanding of the main links of the functional circulatory regulation system and its response to exogenous hypoxia, as well as describes the data available on molecular mechanisms of vasoprotection and cardioprotection involved in response to hypoxytherapy in patients with arterial hypertension and coronary artery disease. AbstractHypoxic conditioning has taken an important place in the range of non-drug methods for stimulating the adaptive potential of a healthy person and patients with cardiovascular diseases. There are many approaches to the use of various methods of exogenous hypoxia, however, there is no consensus on the essence of sanogenetic mechanisms that provide a multi-level functional system for maintaining oxygen supply and blood circulation. Adaptive reactions of afferent, central and efferent links of the functional circulatory regulation system in hypoxia in a healthy person are described. The results of studies of physiological systemic reactions realized by respiratory and vegetative plasticity using interval (intermittent) hypoxia are presented. In patients with arterial hypertension and coronary artery disease, the facts of chemoreflective stimulation and modulation of lung ventilation, autonomic nervous system status, especially sympathetic activity of peripheral blood vessels and vagal activation of cardiac activity have been established. The main vaso- and cardioprotective properties of interval hypoxytherapy are based on the leveling of oxidative stress, inflammation, activation of angiogenesis, and a shift in the secretory activity of the endothelium towards vasodilating, antiproliferative, and antithrombotic mediators. We present the evidence for the role of shear stress and the state of glycocalyx, angiopoietin and adrenomedulline in the regulation of vascular tone, as well as cytoprotective properties of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial metabolic factors in the formation of ischemic tolerance of cardiomyocytes. The issues of the relationship between systemic (neuronal and humoral) reactions and structural and functional responses of target cells in providing adaptive/compensatory mechanisms for regulating blood circulation under the influence of exogenous hypoxia require further research and evaluation.

Features Of The Relationship Between Postural Balance Indicators And Heart Rate Variability In Elderly Women With Falls Syndrome

Objective — The goal of our study was to establish the relationship between the postural balance and heart rate variability (HRV) in elderly women with the falls syndrome. Material and Methods — The study was conducted on120 women aged 60-74 YO. The study group included women with the falls syndrome who experienced two or more falls during the year (n=60), while the comparison group consisted of women without falls (n=60). Postural balance assessment was performed via the computerized stabilometric complex Balance Master®, NeuroCom, Natus Medical, USA. The state of autonomic nervous system was assessed by cardiointervalography using the VNS-Spectrum computer appliance (Neurosoft, Russia). Results — The matrix of intersystem correlations between indicators of postural balance and HRV in women with the falls syndrome was characterized by a small number of statistically significant correlations (6.25%). Same was true for the control group (10.85%). The correlations were noted in the Sit to Stand, Tandem Walk, and Step Up and Over tests in elderly women with the falls syndrome, while in the control group, they were observed only in the Step Quick Turn test. Conclusion — Features of the relationship between postural balance indicators and HRV in elderly women with the falls syndrome were characterized by a worse coordination of intersystem interactions of HRV indicators with indicators of the performance quality of complex motor acts and power indicators of postural balance, as compared with the elderly women without falls syndrome.

Changes in heart rate variability over time from symptom onset of transient global amnesia

Transient global amnesia (TGA) often involves precipitating events associated with changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS), and heart rate variability (HRV) reflects the ANS state. This study aimed to investigate HRV changes after TGA. A retrospective analysis of HRV included patients diagnosed with TGA between January 2015 and May 2020. The time and frequency domains of HRV were compared among three groups: early (< 1 week after TGA, n = 19), late (1–4 weeks after TGA, n = 38), and healthy control (HC, n = 19). The Pearson’s correlation between time and time-domain HRV was also examined. The standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) (early, 47.2; late, 35.5; HC, 41.5; p = 0.033) and root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) (early, 38.5; late, 21.3; HC, 31.0; p = 0.006) differed significantly among the three groups. Post-hoc analysis showed statistically significant differences only in the early and late groups in both SDNN (p = 0.032) and RMSSD (p = 0.006) values. However, the frequency domain with total power, low-frequency and high-frequency powers, and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio did not differ. SDNN (Pearson correlation coefficient =− 0.396, p = 0.002) and RMSSD (Pearson correlation coefficient =− 0.406, p = 0.002) were negatively correlated with time after TGA. Changes in HRV occurred over time after the onset of TGA, with the pattern showing an increase in the first week and then a decrease within 4 weeks.

Prevalence and predictors of preoperative cardiac autonomic dysfunction among elective neurosurgical patients: A prospective observational study.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is cardinal for systemic homeostasis. Autonomic dysfunction is prevalent in as high as 65% of patients presenting for cardiac surgery in the Indian scenario. Pre-existing cardiac autonomic dysfunction (CAD) in surgical patients can accentuate perioperative haemodynamic fluctuations during stressful intraoperative events, predispose to adverse cardiac events, and contribute to morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and predictors of CAD in the elective neurosurgical population are unknown in the Indian scenario. The current study was conducted to bridge this knowledge gap. In this single-centre prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care neurosciences centre, among 400 consenting adult patients of either gender, between 18 and 80 years of age, undergoing elective neurosurgery, the preoperative ANS function at the bedside was assessed as the primary outcome measure. The ANS status was evaluated using ANSiscope™-derived indices of heart rate variability. The diagnosis of CAD was made when the ANS index exceeded a threshold of 13.5. Data regarding predictors of CAD were collected from patient records as the secondary outcome measure. Statistical analysis was done using the R software. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The prevalence of preoperative CAD in our study population was 79.7% (319/400 patients). None of the demographic and baseline clinical characteristics we studied predicted CAD in our study. We observed a significant prevalence of preoperative CAD among elective neurosurgical patients. None of the parameters we evaluated predicted CAD in our study.

Topical pharyngeal anesthesia with articaine for gastroscopy: a double-blinded, randomized cross-over study in healthy volunteers

Objectives The benefits of topical pharyngeal anesthesia for gastroscopy remain under debate. Articaine, a local anesthetic with fast onset and offset of action as well as low systemic toxicity, could be a promising choice for topical anesthesia. The objective of this study was to assess whether topical pharyngeal anesthesia with articaine is beneficial in sedated gastroscopy. Materials and methods This randomized double-blinded cross-over study included nine volunteers who underwent two gastroscopies under conscious sedation. One was performed with topical pharyngeal anesthesia with articaine and the other with placebo. Hemodynamic parameters including autonomic nervous system state were recorded prior to and during the endoscopic procedure. The endoscopist and the volunteer assessed the endoscopy after the examination. Results Topical pharyngeal anesthesia with articaine resulted in less discomfort during esophageal intubation and higher patient satisfaction with the procedure. Topical pharyngeal anesthesia with articaine did not increase satisfaction or facilitate the procedure as rated by the endoscopist. There were no clinically relevant differences in hemodynamic parameters. Conclusion The use of articaine for topical pharyngeal anesthesia results in less intubation-related discomfort and better satisfaction.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTONOMIC IMBALANCE DIAGNOSTIC METHODS IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

Introduction. An imbalance in the autonomic nervous system regulation, known as dysautonomia, is one of the most common clinical syndromes that accompany several diseases. The balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on the body can rapidly change during dynamic processes, especially in cases of infectious and acute diseases, where autonomic regulation plays an active role in shaping the immune response. In children with respiratory diseases, the influence of the vagus nerve (n.vagus) on the frequency and depth of breathing is also important but remains relatively understudied. Assessment of vegetative balance in pediatrics is carried out using various methods depending on the child's age and condition, with commonly used approaches including questionnaires, calculation of the Kerdo autonomic index, and orthostatic testing.&#x0D; The aim. To compare the diagnostic capabilities of different methods for assessment of the autonomic nervous system state in school-age children on the model of acute bronchitis.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The paper presents data from a study that assessed the state of the autonomic nervous system in 52 school-age children (12-16 years old) divided into two groups: 30 children with acute bronchitis in the convalescent period and 22 clinically healthy individuals. Three different methods were used: the A.M. Wayne scale, the Kerdo index, and the orthostatic test.&#x0D; Results. The survey based on Wayne's questionnaire did not reveal a significant difference between the groups of healthy children and those affected by bronchitis. Dynamic tests proved to be more suitable for assessing acute pathology, such as Kerdo's autonomic index and the orthostatic test. The autonomic Kerdo index in children with bronchitis was significantly higher (14.2±2.38 points) than in healthy children (6.4±3.18 points, p&lt;0.05). In children with acute bronchitis, dysautonomia with a predominance of sympathicotonia was recorded, which may be attributed to insufficient vagal innervation and a decrease in parasympathetic influence on the formation of an adequate immune response to the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract.&#x0D; Conclusions. Determining the autonomic Kerdo index and conducting the orthostatic test is suitable for diagnosing dysautonomia in children with acute respiratory pathology. These tests are dynamic, functionally based, and easy to perform and evaluate.

High Heart Rate Variability Causes Better Adaptation to the Impact of Geomagnetic Storms

Our study aimed to test whether specific sensitive reactions in healthy males to the changes in geomagnetic activity (GMA) are different depending on the baseline self-regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In this study, the ANS response in the different phases of geomagnetic storms (GMSs) has been measured via the heart rate variability (HRV) using one-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni-adjusted t-test. In the case of high HRV, changes were found to indicate a significant intensification of both parts of the ANS: the sympathetic part (SP) showed increased stress levels and the parasympathetic part (PP) marked a self-regulation effort in the main and restoration phases of GMSs. In the case of low HRV, changes indicate a significant enhancement in the SP after the main phase of GMSs, with a day’s delay. GMA is a sufficient environmental factor for healthy males, causing stress reactions of the ANS in the main and restoration phases of GMSs. However, the different self-regulation of the ANS results in different dynamics in its variation depending on the individual’s character of the baseline ANS state; the optimal adaptation reactions of healthy males with baseline high HRV are achieved with decreased heart rate and increased HRV in the main phase of GMSs.

Clinical features of the autonomic nervous system and their correlation with psycho-emotional disorders in women with hypertensive states during pregnancy

The objective: to evaluate the clinical characteristics and correlation between signs of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and psychoemotional disorders in pregnant women with gestational hypertension/preeclampsia and pregnant women with hypertensive states during the previous pregnancy. Materials and methods. The study involved 124 women pregnant women with gestational hypertension/preeclampsia (first group), 48 pregnant women with hypertensive states during the previous pregnancy (second group), and 35 women with a physiological pregnancy (control group). The study of ANS status was conducted by Wein questionnaires for subjective and objective assessment of autonomic status, the evaluation of the Kerdo informative index, and the study of psychoemotional state based on well-being, activity, and mood assessment questionnaire and Spielberger–Khanin scale of reactive and personal anxiety. Data were analyzed using Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA). Results. Сlinical characteristics of autonomic dysfunction were detected in all pregnant women of the first group with an increase of sympathetic activity in association with psycho-emotional disorders, which were proved based on increasing points on the scales of subjective (36,03±4,08) and objective assessment of autonomic status (44,28±5,45), a 6,1-fold increase in the percentage of patients with sympathicotonia due to Kerdo informative index compared to control, the presence of asthenic disorders was associated with a bad mood and an increased level of high anxiety. In the second group, significant autonomic dysfunction was diagnosed at an early stage, and asthenic disorders associated with high levels of situational anxiety were diagnosed in a higher percentage of patients compared to the control. A significant correlation was proved between the number of points of the Wein objective scale and the scores of well-being, activity, and mood assessment questionnaire(r= – 0,76; p&lt;0,001), the levels of personal (r=0,33; p&lt;0,001) and reactive anxiety (r=0,41; p&lt;0,001). Conclusions. Therefore, hypertensive states during pregnancy are considered a syndrome of psycho-emotional and autonomic-vascular dysadaptation, caused by the personal characteristics of a woman before the onset of complications against the background of persistent insufficient autonomic support of pregnancy, which indicates the importance of studying the psychological status of a woman and the dysfunction of the ANS in the early stages of pregnancy to find out the expressiveness deviations for monitoring and optimization of treatment and preventive measures.

Fluctuation of Intraocular Pressure and Vascular Factors Are Associated With the Development of Epiretinal Membrane in Glaucoma

To identify factors associated with the development of epiretinal membranes (ERM) in glaucoma patients. Multicenter, propensity-score matched, case-control study. One hundred ninety-two eyes of 192 patients with glaucoma from the Catholic Medical Center Glaucoma Suspect Cohort Study were analyzed. We identified 64 eyes who developed ERM from the cohort, and 128 eyes without ERM were selected by propensity score matching (1:2) according to baseline age and mean deviation (MD) of the visual field (VF). Demographic, systemic, and ocular characteristics were determined at baseline. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured, including baseline, mean IOP, and IOP fluctuation. Early-stage ERM, defined as translucent membrane with no underlying retinal distortion, was detected by fundus photography and optical coherence tomography. Central VF progression was considered when new VF defets developed in one either or both hemifields or when there was an increase of 3 or more abnormal points within 12 points of central 10° fixation. Autonomic nervous system status was evaluated by heart rate variability. Patients who developed ERM were more frequently receiving medication for systemic hypertension and had higher systolic blood pressure, greater IOP fluctuation, more frequent disc hemorrhage (DH), worse VF MD, and a higher rate of central VF progression than patients without ERM. Additionally, patients with early glaucoma who developed ERM had higher rate of autonomic imbalance while patients with moderate-to-advanced glaucoma who developed ERM had greater baseline and peak IOP and worse MD of the last follow-up VF (MD < 6.0 dB). Older age (P=.048), medication for systemic hypertension (P < .001), IOP fluctuation (P < .001), presence of DH (P < .001), and worse last MD of VF (P=.033) were significantly associated with ERM in Cox proportional hazard analysis. Early stage of ERMs in glaucomatous eyes are significantly associated with glaucoma progression, medication of systemic hypertension, presence of DH, and IOP fluctuation. These suggest that glaucoma patients who develop early stage of ERMs should be carefully monitored in terms of IOP fluctuation, vascular factors, and glaucoma progression.

Відповідь вегетативної нервової системи в дітей з пролапсом мітрального клапана на фізичне навантаження

The problem of cardiovascular diseases diagnosing is topical. The prevalence of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has been increasing over the past decades, which requires a differentiated study to prevent its complications in children. Purpose - to explore the reaction of the autonomic nervous system to physical exercises in children with MVP, taking into account the mitral regurgitation (MR). Materials and methods. 44 children with MVP were examined and divided into two groups considering MR aged from 13 to 17 years old. The Group 1 consisted from 20 (45.5%) children with MVP without MR, the Group 2 - 24 (54.5%) children with MVP without MR. It were studied the influence of physical activity on the state of vegetative homeostasis in these children. The estimation of autonomic system state and heart rhythm variability parameters, including spectral and frequency analyses were conducted by cardiointervalography. Estimation of these parameters was performed after physical exercises and compared with primary results. Results. Increasing of VLf (Very low frequency) and Lf (Low frequency) data parameters on 32.7% and 65.6% in children with MVP without MR was noted which shows the prevalence of sympathetic part of autonomic nervous system (ANS), while in children with MR - on 40.5% and 85%, respectively, that is 7.8 and 19.5% more than in children without MR. This can be associated with increased sympathicotonia against the background of the MR presence. Among the parameters which describe the parasympathetic part of the ANS, there was an increase in Hf (High frequency) by 67.0% in children without MR, when it appears, this parameter decreases by 9,1% - we observe an increase in relative sympathicotonia. Increase of sympathetic tonus was also noted in Lf/Hf elevation by 3.8% (without MR) and by 28% (with MR). The analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) time parameters expectedly had changes within reducing of SDNN (Standard deviation of the NN (R-R) intervals) by almost half (p&lt;0.05) in children of both subgroups and the increase of rMSSD (root mean square of successive R-R interval differences) by 23.2% in children without MR (р&lt;0.05), and with the appearance of MR decrease of this parameter by 24.3% was noted. Therefore, in children with MVP, with the appearance of MR, changes in the parameters that characterize the state of ANS with sympathicotonia increasing and parasympathicotonia weakening. Conclusions. In children with MVP, against the background of physical exertion, there is an increase in changes in the balance of the ANS, regardless to the presence or absence of MR. In children with MVP, against the background of MR, the influence of the sympathetic division of the ANS increases almost twice after physical exertion. These children should be under the close supervision of pediatricians, pediatric cardiologists and family doctors. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

A systematic review of HRV during diving in very cold water

ABSTRACT Heart rate variability (HRV) is a useful method to study the autonomic nervous system (ANS) status. As measuring devices have developed and become smaller, many researchers have become interested in the possibilities to implement the method for diving medicine research. The aim of this study was to review human ANS responses in cold water diving (water temperature <5°C), and to comprise the current knowledge of HRV studies in diving and hyperbaric exposure into one review article. A literature search was conducted on 5 Decemberth 2022, with the search terms “HRV” or “heart rate variability” and “diving” or “diver” or “divers”, with search functions of the data bases PubMed and Ovid Medline. Peer reviewed original articles, review articles and case reports were accepted to this review. Twenty-six articles met the pre-defined criteria and were included in this review. Studies from very cold water conditions were rare, but suggested that cold strengthens the ANS responses of diving – especially parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity due to the trigeminocardiac reflex and baroreceptor and cardiac stretch receptor activity, caused cold and pressure-induced centralisation of the blood. Overall, studies showed predominant PNS activity when putting the face in water, during immersion and when ambient pressure increased.

A pupillometric investigation of state regulation in adults scoring high versus low on ADHD symptomatology

According to the state regulation deficit (SRD) account, ADHD is associated with difficulties regulating tonic arousal levels, which may be due to inefficient effort allocation. We aimed to test the SRD account by using a target detection task with three different event rates (ER; 700 ms, 1800 ms, 6000 ms), in order to manipulate the tonic arousal state and its effects on performance and pupil indices in adults with high (n = 40) versus low (n = 36) ADHD symptom levels. In an additional condition, a fast ER (700 ms) was accompanied by auditory white noise (WN), to further increase tonic arousal level. The ER manipulation had a clear effect on RT and variability of RT. These effects were more pronounced for the high-ADHD group, especially for variability of RT with decreasing ER, suggestive of deficient upregulation of a tonic arousal state in that group, in line with their self-reported SRDs in daily life. Adding WN to the fast condition led to more errors, however similarly for both groups. Contrary to our predictions, the ER manipulation had no effect on tonic pupil size (as a measure of tonic arousal). Phasic pupil amplitude (as a measure of cognitive effort) linearly increased with decreasing ER, suggesting more effort allocation during slower ERs. WN decreased phasic pupil amplitude, but had no impact on tonic pupil size. Importantly, however, no ADHD-related differences were present for the pupil indices. In conclusion, adults with elevated levels of ADHD symptoms reported more SRDs in daily life and showed a performance pattern that suggests difficulties in upregulating but not downregulating the tonic arousal state. Surprisingly, these findings were not accompanied by group differences in pupillometric indices. This casts some doubts on the relationship between these measures of autonomic nervous system activity and state regulation, in particular in the context of ADHD symptomatology.

A System Based on Photoplethysmography and Photobiomodulation for Autonomic Nervous System Measurement and Adjustment

(1) Background: The imbalance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is common worldwide. Many people have high tension when the sympathetic nervous system is hyperactive or low attention when the parasympathetic nervous system is hyperactive. To improve autonomic imbalance, a feasible and integrated system was proposed to measure and affect the ANS status. (2) Methods: The proposed system consists of a signal-processing module, an LED stimulation module, a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor and an LCD display. The heart rate variability (HRV) and ANS status can be analyzed from PPG data. To confirm HRV analysis from PPG data, an electrocardiogram (ECG) device was also used to measure HRV. Additionally, photobiomodulation (PBM) was used to affect the ANS status, and two acupuncture points (Neiguan (PC6) and Shenmen (HT7)) were stimulated with different frequencies (10 Hz and 40 Hz) of PBM. (3) Results: Two subjects were tested with the developed system. HRV metrics were discussed in the time domain and frequency domain. HRV metrics have a similar change trend on PPG and ECG signals. In addition, the SDNN was increased, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS: HF (%)) was enhanced with a 10 Hz pulse rate stimulation at the Neiguan acupoint (PC6). Furthermore, the SDNN was increased, and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS: LF (%)) was enhanced with a 40 Hz pulse rate stimulation at the Shenmen (HT7) acupoint. (4) Conclusion: A prototype to measure and affect the ANS was proposed, and the functions were feasible. The test results show that stimulating the Neiguan (PC6) acupoint can inhibit the SNS. In contrast, stimulating the Shenmen (HT7) acupoint can activate the SNS. However, more experiments must be conducted to confirm the effect by choosing different pulse rates, dosages and acupoints.

Elderly Onset Epilepsy and Post-Stroke Epilepsy

It has been reported that the incidence of epilepsy in individuals over the age of 75 years is similar to or higher than one year, suggesting that epilepsy is an important clinical condition in older people. The aging rate in Japan, which reached 27.3% in 2017, makes this an issue of increasing concern. Diagnosis begins with the collection of medical history and knowledge of seizure semiology. In the elderly, most seizures are of extratemporal origin with various seizure semiologies. Difficulties in diagnosis lie in the influence of the autonomic nervous system and nonconvulsive status epilepticus(NCSE). It is necessary to suspect "epilepsy" for any sudden-onset episodes of atypical symptoms and unusual behaviors. NCSE can be diagnosed by recording EEG for more than 6 hours. The narrow therapeutic window and pharmacokinetics complicated by aging make treatment much more difficult with anti-seizure medication(ASM). Comorbidities and drug interactions should also be considered. Stroke is the most common etiology of geriatric epilepsy. Despite several clinical reports on the risk factors of post-stroke epilepsy(PSE)on the preventive administration of enzyme-inducing ASM, a treatment protocol has not yet been established. Prophylactic administration is not recommended; however, ASM is often administered in the acute phase. Therefore, some guidelines for non-enzyme-inducing ASM are required for efficient control of PSE.

Dynamic autonomic nervous system states arise during emotions and manifest in basal physiology.

The outflow of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is continuous and dynamic, but its functional organization is not well understood. Whether ANS patterns accompany emotions, or arise in basal physiology, remain unsettled questions in the field. Here, we searched for brief ANS patterns amidst continuous, multichannel physiological recordings in 45 healthy older adults. Participants completed an emotional reactivity task in which they viewed video clips that elicited a target emotion (awe, sadness, amusement, disgust, or nurturant love); each video clip was preceded by a pre-trial baseline period and followed by a post-trial recovery period. Participants also sat quietly for a separate 2-min resting period to assess basal physiology. Using principal components analysis and unsupervised clustering algorithms to reduce the second-by-second physiological data during the emotional reactivity task, we uncovered five ANS states. Each ANS state was characterized by a unique constellation of patterned physiological changes that differentiated among the trials of the emotional reactivity task. These ANS states emerged and dissipated over time, with each instance lasting several seconds on average. ANS states with similar structures were also detectable in the resting period but were intermittent and of smaller magnitude. Our results offer new insights into the functional organization of the ANS. By assembling short-lived, patterned changes, the ANS is equipped to generate a wide range of physiological states that accompany emotions and that contribute to the architecture of basal physiology.

DESIGNING OF HEALTH-SAVING MEN’S GLOVES

Living during a COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on a person's psychophysiological state such as high-stress levels, leading to poor health, chronic fatigue and insomnia. As a result, the immunity is reduced, which is particularly dangerous today. One way to solve this problem is the use of health-saving clothing, which has additional features that provide the positive effect on the wearer’s body. The developed gloves affect the state of the human autonomic nervous system through biological-active locations in the places of the hand and wrist. An anthropometric study of the biological-active locations of the wrist and hand is performed to construct the glove design. An algorithm for constructing a drawing of the design of the designed product based on four measurements is proposed. The effectiveness of the adaptive gloves is confirmed by studying its effect on the psycho-emotional and psychophysiological state of a person without exposure to the product and after its use by software "Intera-Diacor" and "ROFES", and a questionnaire. The evaluation is performed after wearing gloves for 20-40 minutes. It was found that 83.3 % of the wearers of the health-saving gloves showed positive changes in the body's compensatory forces (stress) and the state of internal emotional fatigue. Thus, the use of health-saving gloves has a positive social, therapeutic (health-saving) and economic effect, as the product has several functions It is an accessory fashion, has hand protection, and, has additional features to positively influence the body of the person wearing it. This allows the future to talk about the use of consumer-friendly and effective ways to correct the men's psychoemotional and psychophysiological states, based on the safer-by-design concept.

Autonomic regulation during sleep in PTSD

The following article reviews the existing data on autonomic nervous system status in posttraumatic stress disorder. This review is embedded in a framework that considers the comparative ethology of sleep under threat. In sum, the current literature, though still quite limited, supports a role for impaired parasympathetic drive but not for increased sympathetic drive in the periphery during sleep in PTSD. Understanding this domain better can be expected to provide insights into the elevated prevalence of cardiovascular disease in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may help to identify as-yet unrecognized medical comorbidities. Measurement issues and future opportunities are considered.

Listening to music before tooth extraction attenuates sympathetic nervous system activity: A randomized control trial

AbstractAimThe effect of listening to music before tooth extraction on the autonomic nervous system and psychological state remains unclear. This prospective study explored the hypothesis that playing music before the extraction of an impacted mandibular third molar would stabilize patients' autonomic nervous system activity and circulatory dynamics.MethodsThirty‐six patients were randomized into two groups: control and music. Patients in the music group listened to music before tooth extraction. Heart rate variability and circulatory dynamics were recorded during the procedure. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and State Trait Anxiety Inventory scale scores were recorded before the procedure, and the latter was used to assess postoperative anxiety scores.ResultsSympathetic nervous activity significantly increased in the control group during the administration of local anesthesia, bone removal, and extraction (p &lt; 0.01), although this increase was lower in the music group during the administration of local anesthesia and extraction (p &lt; 0.05). In the music group, the postoperative anxiety score was significantly lower than the preoperative score (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionPlaying music preoperatively may help reduce sympathetic nerve activity during the administration of local anesthesia and tooth extraction.

Perspectives on applying immuno-autonomics to rheumatoid arthritis: results from an online rheumatologist survey

The term “immuno-autonomics” has been coined to describe an emerging field evaluating the interaction between stress, autonomic nervous system (ANS), and inflammation. The field remains largely unknown among practicing rheumatologists. Our objective was to evaluate the perspectives of rheumatologists regarding the role of stress in the activity and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 31-item survey was conducted with 231 rheumatologists. Rheumatologists were asked to assess the role of stress in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity and were provided with information regarding immuno-autonomics. They were asked to consider how immuno-autonomics resonated with their patient management needs. The majority of rheumatologists are eager to better understand non-response, believe that stress biology and ANS dysfunction interfere with disease activity, and embrace the theory that measurement of ANS via next-generation HRV may be able to evaluate autonomic dysfunction and the biology of stress. Rheumatologists are open to the idea that quantitative measurement of ANS function using next-generation HRV can be a helpful tool to RA practice. The majority agree that ANS state influences RA disease control and that quantitative measures of ANS state are helpful to RA practice. Rheumatologists also agree that patients with poor ANS function may be at risk for not responding adequately to conventional, biologic, or targeted synthetic DMARDs. Almost all would use an in-office test to quantitatively measure ANS using next-generation HRV. This study shows that rheumatologists are open to embracing evaluation of ANS function as a possible tool in the management and treatment of RA.