Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Pages: 1537-1542

Journal: Clinical Neurophysiology

Volume number: 132

Issue number: 7

ISSN: 1388-2457

eISSN: 1872-8952

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2021.04.012

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

Objective: Changes in baroreflex sensitivity have been reported in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We sought to investigate the hypothesis that patients with isolated rapid eye movement (REM)-sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), known to be a prodromal stage for PD, will show abnormalities in baroreflex control.

Methods: Ten iRBD patients were compared to 10 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Their cardiovascular parameters and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were evaluated at rest and during baroreflex stimulation.

Results: MSNA at rest was higher in iRBD patients (burst frequency [BF]: 44 +/- 3 bursts/min; burst incidence [BI]: 60 +/- 8 bursts/100 heartbeats) as compared to the controls (BF: 29 +/- 3 bursts/min, p < 0.001; BI: 43 +/- 9 bursts/100 heartbeats, p < 0.001). During baroreflex stimulation, iRBD patients showed increased absolute values of MSNA (BF: F = 62.728; p < 0.001; BI: F = 16.277; p < 0.001) as compared to the controls. The iRBD patients had decreased diastolic blood pressure at baseline and during lower body negative pressure, but the level of significance was not met.

Conclusion: Our study shows increased MSNA and impaired baroreflex control in iRBD patients. We propose that the inhibitory effect of locus coeruleus on baroreflex function might be impaired, leading to the disinhibition of sympathetic outflow.

Significance: These findings might reflect the destruction of brain areas due to the ascending P-asynuclein deposits in iRBD patients. (C) 2021 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Harvard Citation style: Sayegh, A., Janzen, A., Strzedulla, I., Birklein, F., Lautenschlager, G., Oertel, W., et al. (2021) Increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity and impaired baroreflex control in isolated REM-sleep behavior disorder, Clinical Neurophysiology, 132(7), pp. 1537-1542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2021.04.012

APA Citation style: Sayegh, A., Janzen, A., Strzedulla, I., Birklein, F., Lautenschlager, G., Oertel, W., Kramer, H., & Best, C. (2021). Increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity and impaired baroreflex control in isolated REM-sleep behavior disorder. Clinical Neurophysiology. 132(7), 1537-1542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2021.04.012