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Features of autonomic cardiovascular control during cognition in major depressive disorder.
- Source :
-
Psychophysiology [Psychophysiology] 2021 Jan; Vol. 58 (1), pp. e13628. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jul 04. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Previous research has suggested reduced parasympathetic cardiac regulation during cognitive activity in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, little is known about possible abnormalities in sympathetic control and cardiovascular reactivity. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of autonomic cardiovascular control in the context of executive functions in MDD. Thirty six MDD patients and 39 healthy controls participated. Parameters of sympathetic (pre-ejection period, PEP) and parasympathetic control (high and low frequency heart rate variability, HF HRV, LF HRV; and baroreflex sensitivity, BRS) as well as RR interval were obtained at rest and during performance of executive function tasks (number-letter task, n-back task, continuous performance test, and Stroop task). Patients, as compared to controls, exhibited lower HF HRV and LF HRV during task execution and smaller shortenings in PEP and RR interval between baseline and tasks. They displayed longer reaction times during all conditions of the tasks and more omission errors and false alarms on the continuous performance test. In the total sample, on-task HF HRV, LF HRV and BRS, and reactivity in HF HRV, LF HRV, and PEP, were positively associated with task performance. As performance reduction arose independent of executive function load of the tasks, the behavioral results reflect impairments in attention and processing speed rather than executive dysfunctions in MDD. Abnormalities in cardiovascular control during cognition in MDD appear to involve both divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Low tonic parasympathetic control and blunted sympathetic reactivity imply reduced physiological adjustment resources and, by extension, provide suboptimal conditions for cognitive performance.<br /> (© 2020 Society for Psychophysiological Research.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
Cognitive Dysfunction etiology
Depressive Disorder, Major complications
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Attention physiology
Autonomic Nervous System physiopathology
Cardiovascular System physiopathology
Cognitive Dysfunction physiopathology
Depressive Disorder, Major physiopathology
Executive Function physiology
Parasympathetic Nervous System physiopathology
Psychomotor Performance physiology
Sympathetic Nervous System physiopathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1540-5958
- Volume :
- 58
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Psychophysiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32621782
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13628