1
|
Rim D, Henderson LA, Macefield VG. Brain and cardiovascular-related changes are associated with aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. Clin Auton Res 2022; 32:409-422. [PMID: 36409380 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-022-00907-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The neural pathways in which the brain regulates the cardiovascular system is via sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the heart and sympathetic control of the systemic vasculature. Various cortical and sub-cortical sites are involved, but how these critical brain regions for cardiovascular control are altered in healthy aging and other risk conditions that may contribute to cardiovascular disease is uncertain. METHODS Here we review the functional and structural brain changes in healthy aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation - noting their potential influence on the autonomic nervous system and hence on cardiovascular control. RESULTS Evidence suggests that aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation are each associated with functional and structural changes in specific areas of the central nervous system involved in autonomic control. Increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and significant alterations in the brain regions involved in the default mode network are commonly reported in aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS Further studies using functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coupled with autonomic nerve activity in healthy aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation promise to reveal the underlying brain circuitry modulating the abnormal sympathetic nerve activity in these conditions. This understanding will guide future therapies to rectify dysregulation of autonomic and cardiovascular control by the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donggyu Rim
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Luke A Henderson
- School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Vaughan G Macefield
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. .,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. .,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ciumas C, Rheims S, Ryvlin P. fMRI studies evaluating central respiratory control in humans. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:982963. [PMID: 36213203 PMCID: PMC9537466 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.982963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A plethora of neural centers in the central nervous system control the fundamental respiratory pattern. This control is ensured by neurons that act as pacemakers, modulating activity through chemical control driven by changes in the O2/CO2 balance. Most of the respiratory neural centers are located in the brainstem, but difficult to localize on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to their small size, lack of visually-detectable borders with neighboring areas, and significant physiological noise hampering detection of its activity with functional MRI (fMRI). Yet, several approaches make it possible to study the normal response to different abnormal stimuli or conditions such as CO2 inhalation, induced hypercapnia, volitional apnea, induced hypoxia etc. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the majority of available studies on central respiratory control in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Ciumas
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1028/CNRS UMR 5292 Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
- IDEE Epilepsy Institute, Lyon, France
- *Correspondence: Carolina Ciumas
| | - Sylvain Rheims
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1028/CNRS UMR 5292 Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
- IDEE Epilepsy Institute, Lyon, France
- Department of Functional Neurology and Epileptology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Ryvlin
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zheng JH, Sun WH, Ma JJ, Wang ZD, Chang QQ, Dong LR, Shi XX, Li MJ. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Parkinson’s disease with and without constipation: a prospective study. Clin Auton Res 2022; 32:51-58. [DOI: 10.1007/s10286-022-00851-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
4
|
Nagai M, Förster CY, Dote K. Sex Hormone-Specific Neuroanatomy of Takotsubo Syndrome: Is the Insular Cortex a Moderator? Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12010110. [PMID: 35053258 PMCID: PMC8773903 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), a transient form of dysfunction in the heart’s left ventricle, occurs predominantly in postmenopausal women who have emotional stress. Earlier studies support the concept that the human circulatory system is modulated by a cortical network (consisting of the anterior cingulate gyrus, amygdala, and insular cortex (Ic)) that plays a pivotal role in the central autonomic nervous system in relation to emotional stressors. The Ic plays a crucial role in the sympathovagal balance, and decreased levels of female sex hormones have been speculated to change functional cerebral asymmetry, with a possible link to autonomic instability. In this review, we focus on the Ic as an important moderator of the human brain–heart axis in association with sex hormones. We also summarize the current knowledge regarding the sex-specific neuroanatomy in TTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michiaki Nagai
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima 731-0293, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-82-815-5211; Fax: +81-82-814-1791
| | - Carola Yvette Förster
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, University of Würzburg, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Keigo Dote
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima 731-0293, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cauzzo S, Callara AL, Morelli MS, Hartwig V, Esposito F, Montanaro D, Passino C, Emdin M, Giannoni A, Vanello N. Mapping dependencies of BOLD signal change to end-tidal CO 2: linear and nonlinear modeling, and effect of physiological noise correction. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 362:109317. [PMID: 34380051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disentangling physiological noise and signal of interest is a major issue when evaluating BOLD-signal changes in response to breath holding. Currently-adopted approaches for retrospective noise correction are general-purpose, and have non-negligible effects in studies on hypercapnic challenges. NEW METHOD We provide a novel approach to the analysis of specific and non-specific BOLD-signal changes related to end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) in breath-hold fMRI studies. Multiple-order nonlinear predictors for PETCO2 model a region-dependent nonlinear input-output relationship hypothesized in literature and possibly playing a crucial role in disentangling noise. We explore Retrospective Image-based Correction (RETROICOR) effects on the estimated BOLD response, applying our analysis both with and without RETROICOR and analyzing the linear and non-linear correlation between PETCO2 and RETROICOR regressors. RESULTS The RETROICOR model of noise related to respiratory activity correlated with PETCO2 both linearly and non-linearly. The correction affected the shape of the estimated BOLD response to hypercapnia but allowed to discard spurious activity in ventricles and white matter. Activation clusters were best detected using non-linear components in the BOLD response model. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD We evaluated the side-effects of standard physiological noise correction procedure, tailoring our analysis on challenging understudied brainstem and subcortical regions. Our novel approach allowed to characterize delays and non-linearities in BOLD response. CONCLUSIONS RETROICOR successfully avoided false positives, still broadly affecting the estimated non-linear BOLD responses. Non-linearities in the model better explained CO2-related BOLD signal fluctuations. The necessity to modify the standard procedure for physiological-noise correction in breath-hold studies was addressed, stating its crucial importance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cauzzo
- Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Maria Sole Morelli
- Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Hartwig
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Passino
- Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Giannoni
- Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy; Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Vanello
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Taylor KS, Keir DA, Haruki N, Kimmerly DS, Millar PJ, Murai H, Floras JS. Comparison of Cortical Autonomic Network-Linked Sympathetic Excitation by Mueller Maneuvers and Breath-Holds in Subjects With and Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Front Physiol 2021; 12:678630. [PMID: 34122146 PMCID: PMC8188800 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.678630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In healthy young volunteers, acquisition of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance (MR) and muscle sympathetic nerve (MSNA) signals during simulation of obstructive or central sleep apnea identified cortical cardiovascular autonomic regions in which the BOLD signal changed synchronously with acute noradrenergic excitation. In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that such Mueller maneuvers (MM) and breath-holds (BH) would elicit greater concomitant changes in mean efferent nerve firing and BOLD signal intensity in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) relative to age- and sex-matched individuals with no or only mild OSA (Apnea Hypopnea Index, AHI, <15 events/h). Forty-six participants, 24 with OSA [59 ± 8 years; AHI 31 ± 18 events/h (mean ± SD); seven women] and 22 without (58 ± 11 years; AHI 7 ± 4; nine women), performed a series of three MM and three BH, in randomly assigned order, twice: during continuous recording of MSNA from the right fibular nerve and, on a separate day, during T2∗-weighted echo planar functional MR imaging. MSNA at rest was greater in those with OSA (65 ± 19 vs. 48 ± 17 bursts per 100 heart beats; p < 0.01). MM and BH elicited similar heart rate, blood pressure, and MSNA responses in the two cohorts; group mean BOLD data were concordant, detecting no between-group differences in cortical autonomic region signal activities. The present findings do not support the concept that recurring episodes of cyclical apnea during sleep alter cortical or peripheral neural responsiveness to their simulation during wakefulness by volitional Mueller maneuvers or breath-holds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keri S Taylor
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel A Keir
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,School of Kinesiology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Nobuhiko Haruki
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Derek S Kimmerly
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Philip J Millar
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Hisayoshi Murai
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John S Floras
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Floras JS. From Brain to Blood Vessel: Insights From Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Recordings: Arthur C. Corcoran Memorial Lecture 2020. Hypertension 2021; 77:1456-1468. [PMID: 33775112 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.16490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiunit recordings of postganglionic sympathetic outflow to muscle yield otherwise imperceptible insights into sympathetic neural modulation of human vascular resistance and blood pressure. This Corcoran Lecture will illustrate the utility of microneurography to investigate neurogenic cardiovascular regulation; review data concerning muscle sympathetic nerve activity of women and men with normal and high blood pressure; explore 2 concepts, central upregulation of muscle sympathetic outflow and cortical autonomic neuroplasticity; present sleep apnea as an imperfect model of neurogenic hypertension; and expose the paradox of sympathetic excitation without hypertension. In awake healthy normotensive individuals, resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity increases with age, sleep fragmentation, and obstructive apnea. Its magnitude is not signaled by heart rate. Age-related changes are nonlinear and differ by sex. In men, sympathetic nerve activity increases with age but without relation to their blood pressure, whereas in women, both rise concordantly after age 40. Mean values for muscle sympathetic nerve activity burst incidence are consistently higher in cohorts with hypertension than in matched normotensives, yet women's sympathetic nerve traffic can increase 3-fold between ages 30 and 70 without causing hypertension. Thus, increased sympathetic nerve activity may be necessary but is insufficient for primary hypertension. Moreover, its inhibition does not consistently decrease blood pressure. Despite a half-century of microneurographic research, large gaps remain in our understanding of the content of the sympathetic broadcast from brain to blood vessel and its specific individual consequences for circulatory regulation and cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John S Floras
- Sinai Health and University Health Network Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Keir DA, Badrov MB, Tomlinson G, Notarius CF, Kimmerly DS, Millar PJ, Shoemaker JK, Floras JS. Influence of Sex and Age on Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity of Healthy Normotensive Adults. Hypertension 2020; 76:997-1005. [PMID: 32783757 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.15208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As with blood pressure, age-related changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) may differ nonlinearly between sexes. Data acquired from 398 male (age: 39±17; range: 18-78 years [mean±SD]) and 260 female (age: 37±18; range: 18-81 years) normotensive healthy nonmedicated volunteers were analyzed using linear regression models with resting MSNA burst frequency as the outcome and the predictors sex, age, MSNA, blood pressure, and body mass index modelled with natural cubic splines. Age and body mass index contributed 41% and 11%, respectively, of MSNA variance in females and 23% and 1% in males. Overall, changes in MSNA with age were sigmoidal. At age 20, mean MSNA of males and females were similar, then diverged significantly, reaching in women a nadir at age 30. After 30, MSNA increased nonlinearly in both sexes. Both MSNA discharge and blood pressure were lower in females until age 50 (17±9 versus 25±10 bursts·min-1; P<1×10-19; 106±11/66±8 versus 116±7/68±9 mm Hg; P<0.01) but converged thereafter (38±11 versus 35±12 bursts·min-1; P=0.17; 119±15/71±13 versus 120±13/72±9 mm Hg; P>0.56). Compared with age 30, MSNA burst frequency at age 70 was 57% higher in males but 3-fold greater in females; corresponding increases in systolic blood pressure were 1 (95% CI, -4 to 5) and 12 (95% CI, 6-16) mm Hg. Except for concordance in females beyond age 40, there was no systematic change with age in any resting MSNA-blood pressure relationship. In normotensive adults, MSNA increases after age 30, with ascendance steeper in women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Keir
- From the University Health Network and Sinai Health System Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada (D.A.K., M.B.B., G.T., C.F.N., D.S.K., P.J.M., J.S.F.)
| | - Mark B Badrov
- From the University Health Network and Sinai Health System Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada (D.A.K., M.B.B., G.T., C.F.N., D.S.K., P.J.M., J.S.F.).,School of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada (M.B.B., J.K.S.)
| | - George Tomlinson
- From the University Health Network and Sinai Health System Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada (D.A.K., M.B.B., G.T., C.F.N., D.S.K., P.J.M., J.S.F.)
| | - Catherine F Notarius
- From the University Health Network and Sinai Health System Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada (D.A.K., M.B.B., G.T., C.F.N., D.S.K., P.J.M., J.S.F.)
| | - Derek S Kimmerly
- From the University Health Network and Sinai Health System Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada (D.A.K., M.B.B., G.T., C.F.N., D.S.K., P.J.M., J.S.F.).,Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada (D.S.K.)
| | - Philip J Millar
- From the University Health Network and Sinai Health System Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada (D.A.K., M.B.B., G.T., C.F.N., D.S.K., P.J.M., J.S.F.)
| | - J Kevin Shoemaker
- School of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada (M.B.B., J.K.S.).,Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, ON, Canada (P.J.M.)
| | - John S Floras
- From the University Health Network and Sinai Health System Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada (D.A.K., M.B.B., G.T., C.F.N., D.S.K., P.J.M., J.S.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kasai T, Taranto Montemurro L, Yumino D, Wang H, Floras JS, Newton GE, Mak S, Ruttanaumpawan P, Parker JD, Bradley TD. Inverse relationship of subjective daytime sleepiness to mortality in heart failure patients with sleep apnoea. ESC Heart Fail 2020; 7:2448-2454. [PMID: 32608195 PMCID: PMC7524079 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.12808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Patients with sleep apnoea (SA) and heart failure (HF) are less sleepy than SA patients without HF. HF and SA both increase sympathetic nervous system activity (SNA). SNA can augment alertness. We previously showed that in HF patients, the degree of daytime sleepiness was not related to the severity of SA but was inversely related to SNA. Elevated SNA is associated with increased mortality in HF. Therefore, we hypothesized that in HF patients with SA, the degree of daytime sleepiness will be inversely related to mortality. Methods and results In a prospective cohort study, 218 consecutive patients with systolic HF had overnight polysomnography. Among them, 80 subjects with SA (apnoea–hypopnoea index ≥15) were followed for a mean of 28 months to determine all‐cause mortality rate. Subjective daytime sleepiness was assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). During follow‐up, 20 patients died. The 5 year death rate in patients with ESS less than 6 (i.e. less sleepy) was significantly higher than in patients with an ESS at or above the median of 6 (i.e. sleepier) [21.3 deaths/100 patient‐years vs. 6.2 deaths/100 patient‐years, unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20 to 7.20, P = 0.018]. After adjusting for confounding factors that included sex, history of hypertension, and mean arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation, compared with the sleepier patients, less sleepy patients had greater risk of mortality (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.01 to 6.47, P = 0.047). As a continuous variable, ESS scores were inversely related to mortality risk (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.98, P = 0.022). Conclusions In patients with HF and SA, the degree of subjective daytime sleepiness is inversely related to the mortality risk, suggesting that among HF patients with SA, those with the least daytime sleepiness are at greater risk of death. They may therefore have greater potential for mortality benefit from therapy of SA than those with greater daytime sleepiness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takatoshi Kasai
- Sleep Research Laboratory of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Sleep Medicine and Circadian Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Luigi Taranto Montemurro
- Sleep Research Laboratory of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Sleep Medicine and Circadian Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dai Yumino
- Sleep Research Laboratory of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Sleep Medicine and Circadian Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hanqiao Wang
- Sleep Research Laboratory of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Sleep Medicine and Circadian Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John S Floras
- Department of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital of the University Health Network, 9N-943, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Gary E Newton
- Department of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susanna Mak
- Department of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pimon Ruttanaumpawan
- Sleep Research Laboratory of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Sleep Medicine and Circadian Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John D Parker
- Department of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital of the University Health Network, 9N-943, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - T Douglas Bradley
- Sleep Research Laboratory of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital of the University Health Network, 9N-943, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada.,Centre for Sleep Medicine and Circadian Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
McIntosh RC, Hoshi RA, Timpano KR. Take my breath away: Neural activation at breath-hold differentiates individuals with panic disorder from healthy controls. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2020; 277:103427. [PMID: 32120012 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2020.103427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
There is neuroanatomical evidence of an "extended fear network" of brain structures involved in the etiology of panic disorder (PD). Although ventilatory distrubance is a primary symptom of PD these sensations may also trigger onset of a panic attack (PA). Here, a voluntary breath-holding paradigm was used to mimic the hypercapnia state in order to compare blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response, at the peak of a series of 18 s breath-holds, of 21 individuals with PD to 21 low anxiety matched controls. Compared to the rest condition, BOLD activity at the peak (12 - 18 s) of the breath-hold was greater for PD versus controls within a number of structures implicated in the extended fear network, including hippocampus, thalamus, and brainstem. Activation was also observed in cortical structures that are shown to be involved in interoceptive and self-referential processing, such as right insula, middle frontal gyrus, and precuneus/posterior cingulate. In lieu of amygdala activation, our findings show elevated activity throughout an extended network of cortical and subcortical structures involved in contextual, interoceptive and self-referential processing when individuals with PD engage in voluntary breath-holding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R C McIntosh
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL, 33136, United States.
| | - R A Hoshi
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Center, Sao Paulo University. 2565 Professor Lineu Prestes Ave, Sao Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - K R Timpano
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL, 33136, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Differences in regional grey matter volume of the brain are related to mean blood pressure and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in normotensive humans. J Hypertens 2020; 38:303-313. [DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000002243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
12
|
Estimation of cerebral blood flow velocity during breath-hold challenge using artificial neural networks. Comput Biol Med 2019; 115:103508. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.103508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
13
|
Özbay PS, Chang C, Picchioni D, Mandelkow H, Chappel-Farley MG, van Gelderen P, de Zwart JA, Duyn J. Sympathetic activity contributes to the fMRI signal. Commun Biol 2019; 2:421. [PMID: 31754651 PMCID: PMC6861267 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0659-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The interpretation of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of brain activity is often hampered by the presence of brain-wide signal variations that may arise from a variety of neuronal and non-neuronal sources. Recent work suggests a contribution from the sympathetic vascular innervation, which may affect the fMRI signal through its putative and poorly understood role in cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation. By analyzing fMRI and (electro-) physiological signals concurrently acquired during sleep, we found that widespread fMRI signal changes often co-occur with electroencephalography (EEG) K-complexes, signatures of sub-cortical arousal, and episodic drops in finger skin vascular tone; phenomena that have been associated with intermittent sympathetic activity. These findings support the notion that the extrinsic sympathetic innervation of the cerebral vasculature contributes to CBF regulation and the fMRI signal. Accounting for this mechanism could help separate systemic from local signal contributions and improve interpretation of fMRI studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Senay Özbay
- Advanced MRI Section, LFMI, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | | | - Dante Picchioni
- Advanced MRI Section, LFMI, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Hendrik Mandelkow
- Advanced MRI Section, LFMI, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | | | - Peter van Gelderen
- Advanced MRI Section, LFMI, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | | | - Jeff Duyn
- Advanced MRI Section, LFMI, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Macefield VG, Henderson LA. Identification of the human sympathetic connectome involved in blood pressure regulation. Neuroimage 2019; 202:116119. [PMID: 31446130 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We review our recent data obtained on the cortical and subcortical components of the human sympathetic connectome - the network of regions involved in the sympathetic control of blood pressure. Specifically, we functionally identified the human homologue of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), the primary premotor sympathetic nucleus in the medulla responsible for generating sympathetic vasoconstrictor drive. By performing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain at the same time as recording muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), via a microlectrode inserted into the common peroneal nerve, we are able to identify areas of the brain involved in the generation of sympathetic outflow to the muscle vascular bed, a major contributor to blood pressure regulation. Together with functional connectivity analysis of areas identified through MSNA-coupled fMRI, we have established key components of the human sympathetic connectome and their roles in the control of blood pressure. Whilst our studies confirm the role of lower brainstem regions such as the NTS, CVLM and RVLM in baroreflex control of MSNA, our findings indicate that the insula - hypothalamus - PAG - RVLM circuitry is tightly coupled to MSNA at rest. This fits with data obtained from experimental animals, but also emphasizes the role of areas above the brainstem in the regulation of blood pressure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke A Henderson
- Department of Anatomy & Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
The midcingulate cortex (MCC) is viewed as a central node within a large-scale system devoted to adjusting behavior in the face of changing environments. Whereas the role of the MCC in interfacing action and cognition is well established, its role in regulating the autonomic nervous system is poorly understood. Yet, adaptive reactions to novel or threatening situations induce coordinated changes in the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems. The somatomotor maps in the MCC are organized dorsoventrally. A meta-analysis of the literature reveals that the dorsoventral organization might also concern connections with the autonomic nervous system. Activation of the dorsal and ventral parts of the MCC correlate with recruitments of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems, respectively. Data also suggest that, in the MCC, projections toward the sympathetic system are mapped along the sensory-motor system following the same cervico-sacral organization as projections on the spinal cord for skeletal motor control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Amiez
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, Bron, France.
| | - Emmanuel Procyk
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, Bron, France.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sklerov M, Dayan E, Browner N. Functional neuroimaging of the central autonomic network: recent developments and clinical implications. Clin Auton Res 2018; 29:555-566. [PMID: 30470943 PMCID: PMC6858471 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-018-0577-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The central autonomic network (CAN) is an intricate system of brainstem, subcortical, and cortical structures that play key roles in the function of the autonomic nervous system. Prior to the advent of functional neuroimaging, in vivo studies of the human CAN were limited. The purpose of this review is to highlight the contribution of functional neuroimaging, specifically functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to the study of the CAN, and to discuss recent advances in this area. Additionally, we aim to emphasize exciting areas for future research. Methods We reviewed the existing literature in functional neuroimaging of the CAN. Here, we focus on fMRI research conducted in healthy human subjects, as well as research that has been done in disease states, to understand CAN function. To minimize confounding, papers examining CAN function in the context of cognition, emotion, pain, and affective disorders were excluded. Results fMRI has led to significant advances in the understanding of human CAN function. The CAN is composed of widespread brainstem and forebrain structures that are intricately connected and play key roles in reflexive and modulatory control of autonomic function. Conclusions fMRI technology has contributed extensively to current knowledge of CAN function. It holds promise to serve as a biomarker in disease states. With ongoing advancements in fMRI technology, there is great opportunity and need for future research involving the CAN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Sklerov
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, 170 Manning Drive, CB# 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Eran Dayan
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina, 130 Mason Farm Road, CB# 7513, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Nina Browner
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, 170 Manning Drive, CB# 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hamaoka T, Murai H, Kaneko S, Usui S, Inoue O, Sugimoto H, Mukai Y, Okabe Y, Tokuhisa H, Takashima S, Kato T, Furusho H, Kashiwaya S, Sugiyama Y, Nakatsumi Y, Takata S, Takamura M. Significant Association Between Coronary Artery Low-Attenuation Plaque Volume and Apnea-Hypopnea Index, But Not Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity, in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Circ J 2018; 82:2852-2860. [DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-18-0237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takuto Hamaoka
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Hisayoshi Murai
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Soichiro Usui
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Oto Inoue
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Hiroyuki Sugimoto
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Yusuke Mukai
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Yoshitaka Okabe
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Hideki Tokuhisa
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Shinichiro Takashima
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Takeshi Kato
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Hiroshi Furusho
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | | | | | | | | | - Masayuki Takamura
- System Biology, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kobuch S, Fazalbhoy A, Brown R, Macefield VG, Henderson LA. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity-coupled changes in brain activity during sustained muscle pain. Brain Behav 2018; 8:e00888. [PMID: 29541532 PMCID: PMC5840447 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long-lasting experimental muscle pain elicits divergent muscle sympathetic responses, with some individuals exhibiting a persistent increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), and others a decrease. These divergent responses are thought to result from sustained functional changes in specific brain regions that modulate the cardiovascular responses to pain. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate brain regions that are functionally coupled to the generation of an MSNA burst at rest and to determine their behavior during tonic muscle pain. METHODS Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed concurrently with microelectrode recording of MSNA from the common peroneal nerve during a 40 min infusion of hypertonic saline into the ipsilateral tibialis anterior muscle of 37 healthy human subjects. RESULTS At rest, blood oxygen level-dependent signal intensity coupled to bursts of MSNA increased in the rostral ventrolateral medulla, insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus and decreased in the region of the midbrain periaqueductal gray. During pain, MSNA-coupled signal intensity was greater in the region of the nucleus tractus solitarius, midbrain periaqueductal gray, dorsolateral prefrontal, medial prefrontal, and anterior cingulate cortices, than at rest. Conversely, MSNA-coupled signal intensity decreased during pain in parts of the prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that multiple brain regions are recruited in a burst-to-burst manner, and the magnitude of these signal changes is correlated to the overall change in MSNA amplitude during tonic muscle pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Kobuch
- School of Medicine Western Sydney University Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Azharuddin Fazalbhoy
- Neuroscience Research Australia Sydney NSW Australia.,School of Health Sciences RMIT University Melbourne Vic Australia
| | - Rachael Brown
- School of Medicine Western Sydney University Sydney NSW Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Vaughan G Macefield
- School of Medicine Western Sydney University Sydney NSW Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia Sydney NSW Australia.,College of Medicine Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine & Health Sciences Dubai UAE
| | - Luke A Henderson
- Department of Anatomy and Histology University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
DiFrancesco MW, Shamsuzzaman A, McConnell KB, Ishman SL, Zhang N, Huang G, Hossain M, Amin RS. Age-related changes in baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac autonomic tone in children mirrored by regional brain gray matter volume trajectories. Pediatr Res 2018; 83:498-505. [PMID: 29261644 PMCID: PMC5866169 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2017.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundThe baroreflex and central autonomic brain regions together control the cardiovascular system. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) decreases with age in adults. Age-related changes in brain regions for cardiovascular control in children are unknown. We studied age-related changes in BRS, cardiac autonomic tone, and gray matter volume (GMV) of brain regions associated with cardiovascular control.MethodsBeat-to-beat blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were recorded in 49 children (6-14 years old). Spontaneous BRS was calculated by the sequence method. Cardiac autonomic tone was measured by spectral analysis of HR variability. GMV was measured using voxel-based morphometryin 112 healthy children (5-18 years old).ResultsAge-related changes in BRS were significantly different in children <10 years and ≥10 years. Age-related changes in GMV in regions of interest (ROI) were also significantly different between children <10 and ≥10 years and between children <11 and ≥11 years. However, age-related changes in cardiac autonomic tone were progressive.ConclusionsSignificant changes in BRS trajectories between <10 and ≥10 years may be associated with similar age-related changes of GMV in brain ROI. This new knowledge will guide future studies examining whether childhood cardiovascular disruption manifests as deviated maturation trajectories of specific brain regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark W. DiFrancesco
- Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Abu Shamsuzzaman
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Keith B. McConnell
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Stacey L. Ishman
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Nanhua Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Guixia Huang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Monir Hossain
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Raouf S. Amin
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Taylor KS, Millar PJ, Murai H, Haruki N, Kimmerly DS, Bradley TD, Floras JS. Cortical autonomic network gray matter and sympathetic nerve activity in obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep 2017; 41:4773854. [PMID: 29309669 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsx208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The sympathetic excitation elicited acutely by obstructive apnea during sleep (OSA) carries over into wakefulness. We hypothesized that OSA induces structural changes in the insula and cingulate, key central autonomic network elements with projections to brainstem sympathetic premotor regions. The aims of this study were to (1) apply two distinct but complementary methods (cortical thickness analysis [CTA] and voxel-based morphometry [VBM]) to compare insula and cingulate gray matter thickness in participants without and with OSA; (2) determine whether oxygen desaturation index (ODI) relates to cortical thickness; and (3) determine whether cortical thickness or volume in these regions predicts muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) burst incidence (BI). Overnight polysomnography, anatomical magnetic resonance imaging, and MSNA data were acquired in 41 participants with no or mild OSA (n = 19; 59 ± 2 years [Mean ± SE]; six females; apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 7 ± 1 events per hour) or moderate-to-severe OSA (n = 22; 59 ± 2 years; five females; AHI 31 ± 4 events per hour). Between-group CTA analyses identified cortical thinning within the left dorsal posterior insula and thickening within the left mid-cingulate cortex (LMCC), whereas VBM identified thickening within bilateral thalami (all [p < .05]). CTA revealed inverse relationships between ODI and bilateral dpIC and left posterior cingulate cortex (LPCC) or precuneus thickness. Positive correlations between BI and LMCC gray matter thickness or volume were evident with both methods and between BI and left posterior thalamus volume using VBM. In OSA, the magnitude of insular thinning, although a function of hypoxia severity, does not influence MSNA, whereas cingulate and thalamic thickening relate directly to the intensity of sympathetic discharge during wakefulness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keri S Taylor
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip J Millar
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hisayoshi Murai
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nobuhiko Haruki
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derek S Kimmerly
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - T Douglas Bradley
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John S Floras
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
A review of human neuroimaging investigations involved with central autonomic regulation of baroreflex-mediated cardiovascular control. Auton Neurosci 2017; 207:10-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
22
|
Wood KN, Badrov MB, Speechley MR, Shoemaker JK. Regional cerebral cortical thickness correlates with autonomic outflow. Auton Neurosci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2017.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
23
|
A Meta-analysis of Voxel-based Brain Morphometry Studies in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10095. [PMID: 28855654 PMCID: PMC5577238 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09319-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gray matter (GM) anomalies may represent a critical pathology underlying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the evidence regarding their clinical relevance is inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies of patients with OSA to identify their brain abnormalities. A systematic search was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines, and a meta-analysis was performed using the anisotropic effect-size-based algorithms (ASE-SDM) to quantitatively estimate regional GM changes in patients with OSA. Fifteen studies with 16 datasets comprising 353 untreated patients with OSA and 444 healthy controls were included. Our results revealed GM reductions in the bilateral anterior cingulate/paracingulate gyri (ACG/ApCG), left cerebellum (lobules IV/V and VIII), bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG, medial rostral part), right middle temporal gyrus (MTG), and right premotor cortex. Moreover, GM reductions in the bilateral ACG/ApCG were positively associated with body mass index (BMI) and age among patients with OSA, and GM reductions in the SFG (medial rostral part) were negatively associated with Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores and sex (male). These abnormalities may represent structural brain underpinnings of neurocognitive abnormalities and respiratory-related abnormalities in OSA. In particular, this study adds to Psychoradiology, which is a promising subspecialty of clinical radiology mainly for psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
|
24
|
Taylor KS, Murai H, Millar PJ, Haruki N, Kimmerly DS, Morris BL, Tomlinson G, Bradley TD, Floras JS. Arousal From Sleep and Sympathetic Excitation During Wakefulness. Hypertension 2016; 68:1467-1474. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.116.08212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Obstructive apnea during sleep elevates the set point for efferent sympathetic outflow during wakefulness. Such resetting is attributed to hypoxia-induced upregulation of peripheral chemoreceptor and brain stem sympathetic function. Whether recurrent arousal from sleep also influences daytime muscle sympathetic nerve activity is unknown. We therefore tested, in a cohort of 48 primarily nonsleepy, middle-aged, male (30) and female (18) volunteers (age: 59±1 years, mean±SE), the hypothesis that the frequency of arousals from sleep (arousal index) would relate to daytime muscle sympathetic burst incidence, independently of the frequency of apnea or its severity. Polysomnography identified 24 as having either no or mild obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index <15 events/h) and 24 with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index >15 events/h). Burst incidence correlated significantly with arousal index (
r
=0.53;
P
<0.001), minimum oxygen saturation (
r
=−0.43;
P
=0.002), apnea–hypopnea index (
r
=0.41;
P
=0.004), age (
r
=0.36;
P
=0.013), and body mass index (
r
=0.33;
P
=0.022) but not with oxygen desaturation index (
r
=0.28;
P
=0.056). Arousal index was the single strongest predictor of muscle sympathetic nerve activity burst incidence, present in all best subsets regression models. The model with the highest adjusted
R
2
(0.456) incorporated arousal index, minimum oxygen saturation, age, body mass index, and oxygen desaturation index but not apnea–hypopnea index. An apnea- and hypoxia-independent effect of sleep fragmentation on sympathetic discharge during wakefulness could contribute to intersubject variability, age-related increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, associations between sleep deprivation and insulin resistance or insomnia and future cardiovascular events, and residual adrenergic risk with persistence of hypertension should therapy eliminate obstructive apneas but not arousals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keri S. Taylor
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hisayoshi Murai
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip J. Millar
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nobuhiko Haruki
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derek S. Kimmerly
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beverley L. Morris
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - George Tomlinson
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - T. Douglas Bradley
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John S. Floras
- From the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Macefield VG, Henderson LA. "Real-time" imaging of cortical and subcortical sites of cardiovascular control: concurrent recordings of sympathetic nerve activity and fMRI in awake subjects. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:1199-207. [PMID: 27334958 PMCID: PMC5018056 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00783.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We review our approach to functionally identifying cortical and subcortical areas involved in the generation of spontaneous fluctuations in sympathetic outflow to muscle or skin. We record muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) or skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA), via a tungsten microelectrode inserted percutaneously into the common peroneal nerve, at the same time as performing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain. By taking advantage of the neurovascular coupling delay associated with BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) fMRI, and the delay associated with conduction of a burst of sympathetic impulses to the peripheral recording site, we can identify structures in which BOLD signal intensity covaries with MSNA or SSNA. Using this approach, we found MSNA-coupled increases in BOLD signal intensity in the mid-insula and dorsomedial hypothalamus on the left side, and in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, ventromedial hypothalamus and rostral ventrolateral medulla on both sides. Conversely, spontaneous bursts of SSNA were positively correlated with BOLD signal intensity in the ventromedial thalamus and posterior insula on the left side, and in the anterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex and frontal cortex on the right side, and in the mid-cingulate cortex and precuneus on both sides. Inverse relationships were observed between MSNA and BOLD signal intensity in the right ventral insula, nucleus tractus solitarius and caudal ventrolateral medulla, and between SSNA and signal intensity in the left orbitofrontal cortex. These results emphasize the contributions of cortical regions of the brain to sympathetic outflow in awake human subjects, and the extensive interactions between cortical and subcortical regions in the ongoing regulation of sympathetic nerve activity to muscle and skin in awake human subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vaughan G Macefield
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and
| | - Luke A Henderson
- Department of Anatomy & Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Morelli MS, Valenza G, Greco A, Giannoni A, Passino C, Emdin M, Scilingo EP, Vanello N. Exploratory analysis of nonlinear coupling between EEG global field power and end-tidal carbon dioxide in free breathing and breath-hold tasks. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016; 2016:728-731. [PMID: 28268431 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2016.7590805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Brain activations underlying control of breathing are not completely known. Furthermore, the coupling between neural and respiratory dynamics is usually estimated through linear correlation measures, thus totally disregarding possible underlying nonlinear interactions. To overcome these limitations, in this preliminary study we propose a nonlinear coupling analysis of simultaneous recordings of electroencephalographic (EEG) and respiratory signals at rest and after variation of carbon dioxide (CO2) level. Specifically, a CO2 increase was induced by a voluntary breath hold task. EEG global field power (GFP) in different frequency bands and end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) were estimated in both conditions. The maximum information coefficient (MIC) and MIC-ρ2 (where ρ represents the Pearson's correlation coefficient) between the two signals were calculated to identify generic associations (i.e. linear and nonlinear correlations) and nonlinear correlations, respectively. With respect to a free breathing state, our results suggest that a breath hold state is characterized by an increased coupling between respiration activity and specific EEG oscillations, mainly involving linear and nonlinear interactions in the delta band (1-4 Hz), and prevalent nonlinear interactions in the alpha band (8-13 Hz).
Collapse
|
27
|
|
28
|
Taylor KS, Kucyi A, Millar PJ, Murai H, Kimmerly DS, Morris BL, Bradley TD, Floras JS. Association between resting-state brain functional connectivity and muscle sympathetic burst incidence. J Neurophysiol 2016; 115:662-73. [PMID: 26538607 PMCID: PMC4752303 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00675.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The insula (IC) and cingulate are key components of the central autonomic network and central nodes of the salience network (SN), a set of spatially distinct but temporally correlated brain regions identified with resting-state (task free) functional MRI (rsMRI). To examine the SN's involvement in sympathetic outflow, we tested the hypothesis that individual differences in intrinsic connectivity of the SN correlate positively with resting postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) burst incidence (BI) in subjects without and with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Overnight polysomnography, 5-min rsMRI, and fibular MSNA recording were performed in 36 subjects (mean age 57 yr; 10 women, 26 men). Independent component analysis (ICA) of the entire cohort identified the SN as including bilateral IC, pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC), midcingulate cortex (MCC), and the temporoparietal junction (TPJ). There was a positive correlation between BI and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (P < 0.001), but dual-regression analysis identified no differences in SN functional connectivity between subjects with no or mild OSA (n = 17) and moderate or severe (n = 19) OSA. Correlation analysis relating BI to the strength of connectivity within the SN revealed large (i.e., spatial extent) and strong correlations for the left IC (P < 0.001), right pgACC/MCC (P < 0.006), left TPJ (P < 0.004), thalamus (P < 0.035), and cerebellum (P < 0.013). Indexes of sleep apnea were unrelated to BI and the strength of SN connectivity. There were no relationships between BI and default or sensorimotor network connectivity. This study links connectivity within the SN to MSNA, demonstrating several of its nodes to be key sympathoexcitatory regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keri S Taylor
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
| | - Aaron Kucyi
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Philip J Millar
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hisayoshi Murai
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derek S Kimmerly
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Beverley L Morris
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - T Douglas Bradley
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John S Floras
- University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Macey PM, Ogren JA, Kumar R, Harper RM. Functional Imaging of Autonomic Regulation: Methods and Key Findings. Front Neurosci 2016; 9:513. [PMID: 26858595 PMCID: PMC4726771 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system processing of autonomic function involves a network of regions throughout the brain which can be visualized and measured with neuroimaging techniques, notably functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The development of fMRI procedures has both confirmed and extended earlier findings from animal models, and human stroke and lesion studies. Assessments with fMRI can elucidate interactions between different central sites in regulating normal autonomic patterning, and demonstrate how disturbed systems can interact to produce aberrant regulation during autonomic challenges. Understanding autonomic dysfunction in various illnesses reveals mechanisms that potentially lead to interventions in the impairments. The objectives here are to: (1) describe the fMRI neuroimaging methodology for assessment of autonomic neural control, (2) outline the widespread, lateralized distribution of function in autonomic sites in the normal brain which includes structures from the neocortex through the medulla and cerebellum, (3) illustrate the importance of the time course of neural changes when coordinating responses, and how those patterns are impacted in conditions of sleep-disordered breathing, and (4) highlight opportunities for future research studies with emerging methodologies. Methodological considerations specific to autonomic testing include timing of challenges relative to the underlying fMRI signal, spatial resolution sufficient to identify autonomic brainstem nuclei, blood pressure, and blood oxygenation influences on the fMRI signal, and the sustained timing, often measured in minutes of challenge periods and recovery. Key findings include the lateralized nature of autonomic organization, which is reminiscent of asymmetric motor, sensory, and language pathways. Testing brain function during autonomic challenges demonstrate closely-integrated timing of responses in connected brain areas during autonomic challenges, and the involvement with brain regions mediating postural and motoric actions, including respiration, and cardiac output. The study of pathological processes associated with autonomic disruption shows susceptibilities of different brain structures to altered timing of neural function, notably in sleep disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea and congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. The cerebellum, in particular, serves coordination roles for vestibular stimuli and blood pressure changes, and shows both injury and substantially altered timing of responses to pressor challenges in sleep-disordered breathing conditions. The insights into central autonomic processing provided by neuroimaging have assisted understanding of such regulation, and may lead to new treatment options for conditions with disrupted autonomic function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Macey
- UCLA School of Nursing, University of California at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Ogren
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of California at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ronald M Harper
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of California at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Morelli MS, Vanello N, Giannoni A, Frijia F, Hartwig V, Maestri M, Bonanni E, Carnicelli L, Positano V, Passino C, Emdin M, Landini L. Correlational analysis of electroencephalographic and end-tidal carbon dioxide signals during breath-hold exercise. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016; 2015:6102-5. [PMID: 26737684 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2015.7319784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The central mechanism of breathing control is not totally understood. Several studies evaluated the correlation between electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectra and respiratory signals by performing resting state tasks or adopting hypercapnic/hypoxic stimuli. The observation of brain activity during voluntary breath hold tasks, might be an useful approach to highlight the areas involved in mechanism of breath regulation. Nevertheless, studies of brain activity with EEG could present some limitations due to presence of severe artifacts. When artifact rejection methods, as independent component analysis, cannot reliably clean EEG data, it is necessary to exclude noisy segments. In this study, global field power in the delta band and end-tidal CO2 were derived from EEG and CO2 signals respectively in 4 healthy subjects during a breath-hold task. The cross correlation function between the two signals was estimated taking into account the presence of missing samples. The statistical significance of the correlation coefficients at different time lags was assessed using surrogate data. Some simulations are introduced to evaluate the effect of missing data on the correlational analysis and their results are discussed. Results obtained on subjects show a significant correlation between changes in EEG power in the delta band and end-tidal CO2. Moreover, the changes in end-tidal CO2 were found to precede those of global field power. These results might help to better understand the cortical mechanisms involved in the control of breathing.
Collapse
|
31
|
Floras JS. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, continuous positive airway pressure and treatment of hypertension. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 763:28-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
32
|
Hypertension and Sleep Apnea. Can J Cardiol 2015; 31:889-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
|
33
|
Reversal of functional changes in the brain associated with obstructive sleep apnoea following 6 months of CPAP. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2015; 7:799-806. [PMID: 26082888 PMCID: PMC4459270 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with an increase in the number of bursts of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), leading to neurogenic hypertension. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most effective and widely used treatment for preventing collapse of the upper airway in OSA. In addition to improving sleep, CPAP decreases daytime MSNA towards control levels. It remains unknown how this restoration of MSNA occurs, in particular whether CPAP treatment results in a simple readjustment in activity of those brain regions responsible for the initial increase in MSNA or whether other brain regions are recruited to over-ride aberrant brain activity. By recording MSNA concurrently with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), we aimed to assess brain activity associated with each individual subject's patterns of MSNA prior to and following 6 months of CPAP treatment. Spontaneous fluctuations in MSNA were recorded via tungsten microelectrodes inserted into the common peroneal nerve in 13 newly diagnosed patients with OSA before and after 6 months of treatment with CPAP and in 15 healthy control subjects while lying in a 3 T MRI scanner. Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) contrast gradient echo, echo-planar images were continuously collected in a 4 s ON, 4 s OFF (200 volumes) sampling protocol. MSNA was significantly elevated in newly diagnosed OSA patients compared to control subjects (55 ± 4 vs 26 ± 2 bursts/min). Fluctuations in BOLD signal intensity in multiple regions covaried with the intensity of the concurrently recorded bursts of MSNA. There was a significant fall in MSNA after 6 months of CPAP (39 ± 2 bursts/min). The reduction in resting MSNA was coupled with significant falls in signal intensity in precuneus bilaterally, the left and right insula, right medial prefrontal cortex, right anterior cingulate cortex, right parahippocampus and the left and right retrosplenial cortices. These data support our contention that functional changes in these suprabulbar sites are, via projections to the brainstem, driving the augmented sympathetic outflow to the muscle vascular bed in untreated OSA. Obstructive sleep apnoea increases muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). fMRI was used to identify brain sites temporally coupled to the increase in MSNA. Augmented BOLD signal intensity occurred in several cortical and subcortical sites. These changes were reversed following 6 months of CPAP, which reduced the MSNA.
Collapse
|
34
|
Fatouleh RH, Hammam E, Lundblad LC, Macey PM, McKenzie DK, Henderson LA, Macefield VG. Functional and structural changes in the brain associated with the increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity in obstructive sleep apnoea. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2014; 6:275-83. [PMID: 25379440 PMCID: PMC4215471 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2014.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is greatly elevated in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) during daytime wakefulness, leading to hypertension, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. By recording MSNA concurrently with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) of the brain we aimed to identify the central processes responsible for the sympathoexcitation. Spontaneous fluctuations in MSNA were recorded via tungsten microelectrodes inserted percutaneously into the common peroneal nerve in 17 OSA patients and 15 healthy controls lying in a 3 T MRI scanner. Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) contrast gradient echo, echo-planar images were continuously collected in a 4 s ON, 4 s OFF (200 volumes) sampling protocol. Fluctuations in BOLD signal intensity covaried with the intensity of the concurrently recorded bursts of MSNA. In both groups there was a positive correlation between MSNA and signal intensity in the left and right insulae, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), dorsal precuneus, sensorimotor cortex and posterior temporal cortex, and the right mid-cingulate cortex and hypothalamus. In OSA the left and right dlPFC, medial PFC (mPFC), dorsal precuneus, anterior cingulate cortex, retrosplenial cortex and caudate nucleus showed augmented signal changes compared with controls, while the right hippocampus/parahippocampus signal intensity decreased in controls but did not change in the OSA subjects. In addition, there were significant increases in grey matter volume in the left mid-insula, the right insula, left and right primary motor cortices, left premotor cortex, left hippocampus and within the brainstem and cerebellum, and significant decreases in the mPFC, occipital lobe, right posterior cingulate cortex, left cerebellar cortex and the left and right amygdala in OSA, but there was no overlap between these structural changes and the functional changes in OSA. These data suggest that the elevated muscle vasoconstrictor drive in OSA may result from functional changes within these brain regions, which are known to be directly or indirectly involved in the modulation of sympathetic outflow via the brainstem. That there was no overlap in the structural and functional changes suggests that asphyxic damage due to repeated episodes of nocturnal obstructive apnoea is not the main cause of the sympathoexcitation. Obstructive sleep apnea increases muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). fMRI was used to identify brain sites temporally coupled to the increase in MSNA. Augmented BOLD signal intensity occurred in several cortical and subcortical sites. The elevated MSNA in OSA may result from functional changes within these sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rania H Fatouleh
- University of Western Sydney, School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elie Hammam
- University of Western Sydney, School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Linda C Lundblad
- University of Western Sydney, School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul M Macey
- UCLA School of Nursing and Brain Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David K McKenzie
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia ; Prince of Wales Hospital, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Luke A Henderson
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vaughan G Macefield
- University of Western Sydney, School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia ; Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|