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Clinical Autonomic Research

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01-02-2010 | Research Article

Cardiac autonomic modulation and cognitive status in Alzheimer’s disease

Authors: Maria Alice de Vilhena Toledo, Luiz Fernando Junqueira Jr

Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Introduction

Although nervous structures affected in Alzheimer’s disease are also implicated in autonomic nervous system function, the relationship between autonomic and cognitive functions was not still investigated.

Methods

The cardiac autonomic modulation of 5-min heart interval variability evaluated by time- and frequency-domain indexes, in supine and standing positions, of 22 Alzheimer’s disease patients (90.9% women) aged 79.6 ± 1.4 years (mean ± SE) was correlated with mild to severe cognitive impairment scored by the CAMCOG and MMSE subset tests, by the Spearman’s correlation analysis.

Results

Age and level of education were not correlated with the heart interval variability indexes and the cognitive scores. Significantly positive (r _s = 0.43–0.47, P = 0.03–0.04) or trend (r _s = 0.36–0.40, P = 0.06–0.10) correlation was observed in both positions between the cognitive performance and pNN50%, rMSSD and absolute and normalised high-frequency power, considered to express parasympathetic modulation. Negative trend correlation (r _s = −0.35 to −0.39, P = 0.07–0.10) was observed between absolute sympathetic modulation (low-frequency power and low-to-high frequency power ratio) in supine posture.

Conclusion

The cognitive status and the cardiac sympathovagal modulation appear to be correlated and hypothetically may influence one another in mild to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with more severe cognitive deficiency showed suggestive lower cardiac parasympathetic modulation and trend for higher cardiac sympathetic modulation.

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Title: Cardiac autonomic modulation and cognitive status in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Maria Alice de Vilhena Toledo
Luiz Fernando Junqueira Jr
Publication date: 01-02-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0959-9851
Electronic ISSN: 1619-1560
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-009-0035-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Cardiac autonomic modulation and cognitive status in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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