Relationships between clinical characteristics and nocturnal cardiac autonomic activity in Parkinson's disease

Auton Neurosci. 2012 Nov 2;171(1-2):85-8. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2012.10.003. Epub 2012 Nov 8.

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to explore the association between Parkinson's disease (PD) clinical characteristics and cardiac autonomic control across sleep stages.

Methods: Frequency-domain heart rate variability (HRV) measures were estimated in 18 PD patients undergoing a night of polysomnography.

Results: Significant relationships were found between PD severity and nocturnal HRV indices. The associations were restricted to rapid eye movement (R) sleep.

Conclusions: The progressive nocturnal cardiac autonomic impairment occurring with more severe PD can be subclinical emerging only during conditions requiring active modulation of physiological functions such as R-sleep.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiology*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
  • Physical Examination
  • Polysomnography
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep Stages / physiology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric