Schwab AI, Nuckols VR, Haigh K
… +1 more, Wenner MM
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40812163
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in women. Menopause is associated with a variety of physiological changes, including hallmark vasomotor symptoms and an increased risk of CVD. Tradi...Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in women. Menopause is associated with a variety of physiological changes, including hallmark vasomotor symptoms and an increased risk of CVD. Traditional hormone therapy (HT) was the primary form of menopausal management for women until the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial found an increased risk of heart disease and stroke with HT use. Since the WHI publication in 2002, prescriptions for HT have plummeted and remained low, leaving menopausal women with few options for treatment and management. Although HT is very effective at treating menopausal symptoms, the data regarding cardiovascular benefits have been mixed, and reduction in CVD risk with HT may be related to the timing of initiation. The purpose of this review is to provide a clear timeline of HT usage and trials in overall support of HT as a safe and beneficial strategy for menopausal women, with an emphasis on advocacy for continued research on menopausal treatment options to improve women's health across the lifespan.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40763453
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PURPOSE: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both motor and non-motor functions, including autonomic regulation. In the cardiovascular system, autonomic dysfunction may resul...PURPOSE: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both motor and non-motor functions, including autonomic regulation. In the cardiovascular system, autonomic dysfunction may result in blood pressure (BP) abnormalities, such as altered variability. Therefore, the present study aimed to test the hypothesis that patients with PD exhibit increased resting beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV) compared to healthy controls. METHODS: Beat-to-beat heart rate (via electrocardiography) and BP (via photoplethysmography) were continuously recorded in 19 patients with PD, 15 age-matched older adults, and 19 young adults. Cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were estimated using the ModelFlow method. BPV was assessed using several indices, including the standard deviation (SD) and average real variability (ARV). RESULTS: Compared to both older and younger control groups, patients with PD exhibited lower ARV values for systolic (1.6 ± 0.5 vs. 2.3 ± 0.5 and 3.1 ± 1.1 mm Hg, P = 0.001), diastolic (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4 and 1.5 ± 0.6 mm Hg, P = 0.001), and mean (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4 and 1.5 ± 0.5 mm Hg, P = 0.001) BP. In addition, patients with PD showed reduced ARV in TPR compared to the older control group (0.5 ± 0.2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.7 mm Hg/L/min, P = 0.045). However, ARV in CO did not differ significantly between PD patients and older adults (119 ± 68 vs. 136 ± 48 mL/min, P = 0.806). Similar patterns were observed when using other BPV indices. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Parkinson's disease may lead to a reduction in beat-to-beat blood pressure variability, potentially driven by changes in total peripheral resistance rather than cardiac output.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40706262
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In this pilot study, eight patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and eight age-matched healthy controls completed a 5-week home-based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) program. Maximal inspiratory pressure and heart rat...In this pilot study, eight patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and eight age-matched healthy controls completed a 5-week home-based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) program. Maximal inspiratory pressure and heart rate variability during sitting (SIT) and orthostatic stress were assessed before and after IMT. Both groups exhibited better maximal inspiratory pressure and vagal modulation of the heart in the SIT position post-IMT. However, only patients with PD showed enhanced cardiac autonomic modulation during orthostatic stress. These findings suggest that IMT may improve the cardiac autonomic response to orthostatic stress in patients with PD, warranting further investigation.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40683135
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Motion sickness is an enigma that has plagued humans for millennia - and could be exacerbated by automated vehicles and virtual reality. Here, we examined the neuromodulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus ner...Motion sickness is an enigma that has plagued humans for millennia - and could be exacerbated by automated vehicles and virtual reality. Here, we examined the neuromodulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) - a non-invasive brain stimulation tool - on autonomic function in response to motion sickness-induced nausea. We conducted a crossover randomized controlled study of healthy participants (n = 29) administered with active taVNS and sham, concurrent with visually-induced motion sickness during electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition. Using symmetric projection attractor reconstruction (SPAR), a recent mathematical tool that computes images ("attractors") of morphology and variability of any approximately periodic signals, we show that taVNS induces a significant reduction in measures derived from these attractor image data, compared to sham. Notably, we found that a taVNS-evoked decrease in peak theta density showed a marked correlation with improvements in motion-induced nausea symptom severity. Furthermore, the use of machine learning revealed differential discriminatory power of taVNS response with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.81. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into taVNS for motion-induced nausea; and additionally suggest that ECG SPAR-based features may be important for evaluating taVNS therapy response - with implications for adaptive taVNS.
Wang H, Tamura K, Oshima S
… +7 more, Yokoyama S, Okamoto Y, Otsuka J, Kato H, Yamashita H, Quan YS, Amano T
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40669291
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Palmar sweating is primarily evoked by psychological and physical (e.g., exercise) stress, while the peripheral control of this response remains uncertain. We investigated whether the transdermal administration of adrene...Palmar sweating is primarily evoked by psychological and physical (e.g., exercise) stress, while the peripheral control of this response remains uncertain. We investigated whether the transdermal administration of adrenergic antagonists modulates palmar sweating induced by isometric knee extension (IKE) exercise. In a climate chamber (28 °C and 40 % relative humidity), 15 healthy young adult males completed IKE exercises at maximal (5 s maximum voluntary contraction, MVC) and submaximal (50 % MVC to exhaustion) effort, before and after the transdermal iontophoretic administration of bretylium (noradrenergic sympathetic nerve inhibitor), terazosin (α-adrenergic receptor antagonist), propranolol (β-adrenergic receptor antagonist), or NaCl (control) to the palm pretreated with solid microneedles to enhance skin permeability. The efficacy of terazosin and propranolol on the palm was assessed by administering α- and β-adrenergic agonists (phenylephrine and salbutamol combined with aminophylline, respectively) in follow-up studies, whereas bretylium efficacy was verified by evaluating cold-induced palmar cutaneous vasoconstriction. Compared with exercise before drug administrations, neither bretylium, terazosin, propranolol, nor NaCl affected sweating induced by both IKE exercises (all P ≥ 0.600, interaction and treatment effect). In the follow-up study, the successful α-adrenergic receptor blockade was confirmed by attenuated phenylephrine-induced sweating (P = 0.001). Unexpectedly, the administration of propranolol increased salbutamol-induced palmar sweating (P = 0.008), leaving the efficacy of β-adrenergic receptor blockade uncertain. The bretylium administration effectively abolished cold-induced cutaneous vasoconstriction (P = 0.006). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that transdermal administration of bretylium, terazosin, and propranolol does not alter palmar sweating induced by IKE exercise, implying the absence of adrenergic modulation.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40651274
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OBJECTIVE: Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are major neurogenerative diseases characterized pathologically by abnormal alpha-synuclein aggregation, called synucleinopathy. PD and MSA are clinic...OBJECTIVE: Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are major neurogenerative diseases characterized pathologically by abnormal alpha-synuclein aggregation, called synucleinopathy. PD and MSA are clinically characterized by motor disorder and autonomic dysfunction (particularly lower urinary tract dysfunction, LUTD and orthostatic hypotension, OH). However, few literatures are available concerning mutual interaction between bladder-cardiovascular autonomic disorders in PD or MSA. METHOD: A narrative review including the past 10-year PubMed research papers on this topic. We also included dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) that shares pathology with PD. RESULTS: The LUTD in MSA is more severe than that in PD for large post-void residual (PVR) or urinary retention. These LUTDs presumably reflect the different nervous system pathologies. Of particular importance is that MSA may presents with LUTD alone initially, and some PD or MSA presents with OH alone (called pure autonomic failure, PAF); needs early diagnosis and management. For treating autonomic dysfunction in PD or MSA, mutual interactions between bladder-cardiovascular are worth considering, particularly when we prescribe urology drugs (alpha blockers might worsen OH) or cardiology drugs (antihypertensive drugs might worsen OH, and drugs to treat OH might worsen PVR). Care should also be taken for micturition syncope. This care improves individual's quality of life in PD or MSA; it can also prevent emergency hospitalizations, and early institutionalization. CONCLUSIONS: This review summarizes the pathophysiology and practical management of (mutual) bladder-cardiovascular autonomic disorders in individuals with PD or MSA.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40639123
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This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of sacral nerve electrical stimulation (SNES) targeting the L6-S1 spinal nerves on neurogenic bladder dysfunction following spinal cord injury (SCI). Using a randomized contro...This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of sacral nerve electrical stimulation (SNES) targeting the L6-S1 spinal nerves on neurogenic bladder dysfunction following spinal cord injury (SCI). Using a randomized controlled design, 80 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham surgery, complete T9 spinal cord transection (SCI model), SCI with electrode implantation only (control), and SCI with active SNES (3-5 Hz, 3-5 V daily for 4 weeks). Bladder function was assessed through urodynamics, while detrusor fibrosis was examined using histological and ultrastructural analyses. The SCI model group demonstrated significant urodynamic impairments compared to sham controls, including increased leak point pressure (43.15 ± 1.37 vs 25.52 ± 1.29 cmHO) and decreased bladder capacity (1.52 ± 0.21 vs 4.21 ± 0.72 mL) and compliance (0.21 ± 0.14 vs 0.42 ± 0.26 mL/cmHO; all P < 0.01). SNES treatment substantially reversed these abnormalities (P < 0.01 vs SCI group), restoring parameters to near-normal levels. Histological examination revealed that SNES significantly reduced collagen deposition (types I and III) in detrusor muscle compared to untreated SCI animals (P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed preserved mitochondrial structure in SNES-treated animals, contrasting with the cellular vacuolization observed in SCI controls. These results demonstrate that early intervention with SNES at the L6-S1 level can effectively mitigate both functional and structural bladder impairments following SCI. The treatment improved urodynamic parameters while reducing fibrotic changes in detrusor muscle, suggesting its potential as a species-specific neuromodulation strategy for neurogenic bladder. This study provides experimental evidence supporting further investigation of sacral-level neuromodulation for SCI-related bladder dysfunction.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40614575
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On its activation, the carotid body (CB) provides one of the greatest stimulants to raise cardiovascular sympathetic activity. Through proof of principle studies the CB has been shown to be a major driver of the heighten...On its activation, the carotid body (CB) provides one of the greatest stimulants to raise cardiovascular sympathetic activity. Through proof of principle studies the CB has been shown to be a major driver of the heightened sympathetic activity associated with several cardiometabolic diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of hypoxia and cellular transduction as well as inter-cellular signalling within the CB becomes crucial for identification of novel interventions to quench CB hyperactivity in disease. In this review, we summarise the mechanisms of hypoxia but also emphasise that the CB is more than an oxygen sensor which is acutely tuned to the regulation of both oxygen and glucose with feedback from blood-borne hormones regulating metabolism. This feature opens new druggable targets to restrain CB activity as well as the possibility to consider this organ as a nodal point for regulating autonomic dysfunction underpinning the metabolic syndrome.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40578076
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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by non-motor symptoms and marked altered sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. However, it is currently unclear if inappropriate autonomic...Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by non-motor symptoms and marked altered sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. However, it is currently unclear if inappropriate autonomic adjustments are manifested during rapid parasympathetic adjustments that occur following cessation of exercise and at the onset of isolated post-exercise ischemia (PEI). Herein, we tested the hypothesis that, compared to older and young men, PD patients would show attenuated heart rate (HR) recovery at exercise cessation due to impaired cardiac vagal reactivation. Eleven PD patients (66 ± 9 yr), 9 age-matched controls (64 ± 7 yr), and 10 young controls (21 ± 1 yr) were studied. All participants performed 90-s of isometric handgrip at 40 % of maximal voluntary contraction, followed by 3-min of PEI. HR (electrocardiography) was continuously recorded. HR recovery was defined as the difference between HR at the end of the exercise and at the end of the first 30-s of PEI. HR variability (HRV) during the first 30-s of recovery was quantified. Following the cessation of exercise, the HR recovery was significantly lower in PD and age-matched controls compared to young controls (Δ-10 ± 5 vs. Δ-14 ± 6 vs. Δ-26 ± 8 beats.min - 1 at 30s; P < 0.001; respectively). compared to controls. HRV increased less post-exercise in PD and age-matched controls compared to young controls. In summary, PD patients and age-matched controls demonstrate blunted parasympathetic reactivation. However, contrary to our hypothesis, PD patients did not exhibit further attenuation in HR recovery compared to age-matched controls, suggesting that PD does not exacerbate vagal reactivation impairments beyond those associated with aging.
Adamec I, Krbot Skorić M, Crnošija L
… +4 more, Fanciulli A, Panicker J, Kaplan TB, Habek M
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40570806
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Neurogenic urogenital dysfunction encompasses various urinary and sexual issues resulting from neurological disorders, which significantly impact patients' quality of life. To address these challenges, the European Acade...Neurogenic urogenital dysfunction encompasses various urinary and sexual issues resulting from neurological disorders, which significantly impact patients' quality of life. To address these challenges, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), in collaboration with the European Federation of Autonomic Societies (EFAS) and the International Neuro-Urology Society (INUS), developed the NEUROGED guidelines. These guidelines aim to provide neurologists with evidence-based recommendations for managing neurogenic bladder and sexual dysfunctions. The task force comprised 37 members from 17 countries across four continents, highlighting a comprehensive and collaborative effort. The committee has established evidence-based recommendations for 11 key questions, consensus-based recommendations for eight questions, and good practice statements for 19, addressing the complexities of managing neurogenic urogenital dysfunction. This review seeks to enhance understanding of the NEUROGED guidelines through two sections. The first section examines the neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction (SD), establishing a basis for the guidelines. The second section explores the impact of the NEUROGED guidelines on the investigation and management of urogenital symptoms, addressing their implementation and potential barriers in clinical practice.
Kissell CE, Skow RJ, Wakeham DJ
… +11 more, Washio T, Manferdelli G, Samels M, Fu Q, Haykowsky MJ, Brazile TL, MacNamara JP, Sarma S, Levine BD, Fadel PJ, Hearon CM
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40561702
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Impaired exercise hyperemia and blunted vasoconstrictor responsiveness have been reported in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the degre...Impaired exercise hyperemia and blunted vasoconstrictor responsiveness have been reported in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the degree to which vasodilatory capacity and sympathetic vasoconstrictor reserve are diminished. Given the integration of both vasodilation and vasoconstriction to appropriately regulate blood flow during exercise, we hypothesized that patients with HFpEF who are unable to vasoconstrict to sympatho-excitation (i.e., a cold pressor test; CPT; non-constrictors) have blunted leg blood flow (LBF) responses to single leg knee extensor (SLKE) exercise compared to patients with HFpEF who are able to vasoconstrict in response to sympatho-excitation (constrictors). Forty-three patients diagnosed with HFpEF underwent a CPT and performed submaximal and peak SLKE exercise while heart rate, blood pressure and common femoral artery blood flow were measured. The percent change in leg vascular conductance (LVC) during the CPT was used to categorize participants as non-constrictors (+26 ± 24%Δ LVC; n = 22, 16 female) or constrictors (-15 ± 14%Δ LVC; n = 21, 13 female). During submaximal SLKE exercise (7.5 watts) non-constrictors had a smaller increase in LBF (non-constrictors: Δ 1139 ± 425 ml/min; constrictors: Δ 1497 ± 454 ml/min; P = 0.011) and LVC (non-constrictors: Δ 9.8 ± 3.4 ml/min/mmHg; constrictors: Δ 13.3 ± 4.5 ml/min/mmHg; P = 0.007). LBF at peak SLKE exercise was also less in non-constrictors compared to constrictors (P = 0.033). In summary, patients with HFpEF without a sympathetic vasoconstrictor reserve present with impaired hemodynamic responses to exercise.
Fukazawa A, Hotta N, Yeganehjoo H
… +6 more, Hori A, Kim HK, Iwamoto GA, Smith SA, Vongpatanasin W, Mizuno M
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40561701
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized by synaptic loss and the increase of amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain often detrimentally affecting function. Brainstem is the key ce...Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized by synaptic loss and the increase of amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain often detrimentally affecting function. Brainstem is the key central integration site for sensory input from working skeletal muscle. Stimulation of skeletal muscle afferent fibers during muscle contraction increases blood pressure. However, whether AD alters or preserves the central processing of peripheral sensory afferent signals remains to be elucidated. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that the magnitude of the pressor response is functionally altered in intracerebroventricular-streptozotocin injected rats (ICV-STZ). Streptozotocin (3 mg/kg) was intracerebroventricularly injected into the lateral ventricle of male Sprague-Dawley rats. In parallel, a separate group of rats were treated with ICV saline as a vehicle control. Spatial learning and memory function were assessed using the Morris Water Maze behavioral test. Results demonstrate that ICV-STZ rats had a significantly longer time to reach a target platform compared to controls (P = 0.0046). ICV-STZ injection also significantly increased brainstem Aβ1-40 (P = 0.0082), but not Aβ1-42 (P = 0.0744). Further, the peak pressor and cardioaccelerator responses to tibial nerve stimulation were significantly attenuated in ICV-STZ rats compared to controls (ΔMAP: P = 0.0003, ΔHR: P = 0.0035). The findings suggest that the cardiovascular responses to electrical stimulation of sensory afferents are blunted in ICV-STZ rats.
Raulino ÍC, Ferreira VH, Souza JR
… +4 more, de Oliveira M, Accorsi-Mendonça D, Paton JFR, Machado BH
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40561700
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We hypothetized that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) exposed to chronic intermittent hyperoxia should reduce the high baseline arterial pressure (hypertension) observed in these animals. The rational for this stud...We hypothetized that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) exposed to chronic intermittent hyperoxia should reduce the high baseline arterial pressure (hypertension) observed in these animals. The rational for this study was based-upon the known overactivity of carotid chemoreceptors in SHR and their significant contribution to the maintenance of an increased sympathetic outflow and hypertension. To test this hypothesis, we exposed SHR and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY, control) to intermittent hyperoxia (IH, FIO increase from 20.8 to 30 % in 6 cycles/h) 8 h a day during 10 days. Systolic arterial pressure was evaluated every 2 days by tail plethysmography. At the end of the protocols the rats were anesthetized and catheters implanted for arterial pressure recordings and drug injections 24 hs later in the conscious freely moving condition. Respiratory frequency was evaluated by whole body plethysmography before and after the IH protocol and the cardiovascular and respiratory responses to peripheral chemoreflex activation (KCN) were evaluated one day after the end of protocol. Arterial blood samples were collected one day after the end of protocols for gas evaluation. The data shows that IH produced no significant change in mean arterial pressure of SHR [159 ± 9.02 (N = 4) vs 153 ± 7.85 mmHg (N = 7)] or WKY [115 ± 6.08 (N = 5) vs 111 ± 7.66 (N = 6) mmHg)] relative to their respective normoxic control. Since IH produced no changes in the cardiovascular parameters we propose that IH treatment protocol was not effective in reducing the overactivity of glomus cells in the carotid body of SHR.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40555066
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Renal nerves are critical in regulation of blood pressure and renal function. The concept of renal denervation is based on solid pathophysiologic principles and both experimental and human data. Renal denervation has con...Renal nerves are critical in regulation of blood pressure and renal function. The concept of renal denervation is based on solid pathophysiologic principles and both experimental and human data. Renal denervation has consistently shown to reduce blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension and complex to manage blood pressure. This occurs both in the clinical trial environment and in observational studies. The procedure works effectively through the disruption of the pathophysiological sympathetic drive to and from the kidney to produce its antihypertensive effect. Renal denervation is now considered a valid option for BP lowering in European and American Hypertension Guidelines.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40543414
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A growing body of evidence highlights the direct involvement of the autonomic nervous system on cognitive processes. Vagal-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), a measure of cardiac autonomic control, has been linked...A growing body of evidence highlights the direct involvement of the autonomic nervous system on cognitive processes. Vagal-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), a measure of cardiac autonomic control, has been linked to cognitive outcomes in both healthy and clinical populations. However, few studies have directly examined this relationship in females. Understanding the interplay between vmHRV and cognitive functioning in females is important for elucidating sex-specific mechanisms contributing to cognitive trajectories across the female lifespan. The present review synthesizes the literature examining vmHRV and cognition in females at different transitional life phases, including the menstrual cycle, menopausal transition, and postmenopausal period, and considers the implications of polycystic ovary syndrome. The evidence summarized describes fluctuations in vmHRV and cognitive function across the female adult lifespan; however, notable gaps in the literature are identified. Further research is needed to better understand these complex interactions and to guide the development of targeted strategies to support female cognitive health with advancing age.
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40505421
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Vasovagal events occur across a spectrum, from minor events to severe episodes resulting in syncope. The intensity distribution of these events follows a power law, as described by the universal theory of self-organized...Vasovagal events occur across a spectrum, from minor events to severe episodes resulting in syncope. The intensity distribution of these events follows a power law, as described by the universal theory of self-organized criticality (SOC). Extreme SOC events may manifest as unpredictable "black swans" or predictable outliers called "dragon kings." This study aimed to characterize the nature of the most significant events leading to (near)syncope. We analyzed RR-interval time series from eleven healthy individuals who experienced vasovagal (near)syncope during a head-up tilt test. Bradycardia sequences were evaluated based on their intensity (number of beats) to construct Zipf's distributions and calculate the regression coefficient (r). Following the latest three-step approach for identifying event types, we first compared Zipf's distributions with and without the vasovagal (VV) event. Next, we applied time rescaling, and finally, we refined the definition of bradycardia sequences. The first step failed to demonstrate vasovagal syncope as a dragon king (r without VV vs. r with VV: 0.98 ± 0.00 and 0.98 ± 0.00, respectively). The second step proved inconclusive, as time rescaling disrupted the power law distribution. However, the third step revealed that the largest events acted as outliers or predictable dragon kings, significantly altering the correlation coefficient of event distribution (r without vs. with outliers: 0.98 ± 0.01 and 0.86 ± 0.02, respectively, p = 0.001). Our findings suggest that vasovagal syncope represents a dragon king in a self-organized system poised at criticality. These results pave the way for predicting vasovagal syncope based on recent advancements in SOC theory.
Berthoud HR, Fox EA, Münzberg H
… +4 more, Yu S, Kim A, Lowell BB, Neuhuber WL
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40499395
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The canonical autonomic nervous system pathway to peripheral targets consists of two neurons in series, i.e., preganglionic and postganglionic. However, several recent reports claim a direct innervation of some sub-diaph...The canonical autonomic nervous system pathway to peripheral targets consists of two neurons in series, i.e., preganglionic and postganglionic. However, several recent reports claim a direct innervation of some sub-diaphragmatic organs by neurons of the vagal dorsal motor nucleus without intercalated postganglionic neurons. The aim of this minireview is to summarize these studies e.g. on direct vagal preganglionic innervation of Brunner's glands, liver and spleen and to critically discuss their unorthodox findings and discrepancies with previous literature. We conclude that rigorous re-evaluation by complementary state-of-the-art strategies is obligatory.
Gorrell E, Shemery AM, Franks L
… +8 more, Samman N, Zendlo M, Welch E, Ridley C, Davis A, Titus AR, Heemstra LA, Novak CM
Auton Neurosci
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40494254
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As obesity and overweight continue to be a public health burden throughout the world, approaches to increase energy expenditure (EE) are sought to reverse the energy imbalance underlying weight gain. Skeletal muscle is a...As obesity and overweight continue to be a public health burden throughout the world, approaches to increase energy expenditure (EE) are sought to reverse the energy imbalance underlying weight gain. Skeletal muscle is a promising target for enhancing energy expenditure. We have previously shown that exposure to predator odor induces skeletal muscle thermogenesis and results in increased physical activity, energy expenditure, and weight loss in rats. Prior evidence supports the importance of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation of skeletal muscle through β adrenergic receptors. Here, we measured norepinephrine turnover (NETO) rate to demonstrate that predator threat increases SNS outflow to skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue (BAT), as well as some white adipose depots, in rats. We surgically excised the primary BAT depot to probe the potential contribution of BAT to muscle thermogenesis. Rats lacking interscapular BAT (iBATX) showed no discernable deficit in predator odor-induced muscle thermogenesis, but showed some differential response to the β3 adrenergic agonist CL-316,243. Altogether, this reaffirms the importance of SNS outflow to skeletal muscle in the thermogenesis elicited by predator threat.