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The Blood Vessel, Brain, and Immune System Connections
Published in Mark C Houston, The Truth About Heart Disease, 2023
You have heard about the “flight or fight reaction” or the “rest and relax reaction”. These opposing reactions are related to the three distinct and major parts of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), called the “sympathetic nervous system” (SNS), the “parasympathetic nervous system” (PNS), and the “enteric nervous system” (ENS) (related to our gut) (Figure 14.1). The SNS and PNS systems oppose each other to give us a balance that is important to regulate the brain and entire nervous system with the arteries, heart, endocrine system, gut, and immune system. This internal communication is very important. If any of the SNS, PNS, or ENS predominates, it can lead to many cardiovascular problems and diseases. The autonomic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary processes of our physiology and daily functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal (Table 14.1).
Neuronal Regulation of the Immune System in Cardiovascular Diseases
Published in Shyam S. Bansal, Immune Cells, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Diseases, 2022
Daniela Carnevale, Giuseppe Lembo, Marialuisa Perrotta, Lorenzo Carnevale
The autonomic nervous system is a potent regulator of cardiovascular function, and, as such, blood pressure levels are finely tuned by an adequate balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic drives (Esler, 2015; Malpas, 2010). As an example, it has been well described that key physiological parameters important for blood pressure balance – like vascular tone and renal sodium excretion – are under neural control, typically regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (Abboud, 1982; Coffman, 2011; Johnson & Xue, 2018). Hence, investigation of the interconnections existing between neural regulatory systems, immune mechanisms, and cardiovascular function became an appealing perspective. Following on this, one of the first experiments underlining the existence of neuroimmune-modulating functions of vasoactive agents showed that the intracerebral ventricular infusion of angiotensin II activates the peripheral release of cytokines through the sympathetic nervous system (Abboud, Harwani, & Chapleau, 2012; Ganta et al., 2005). Relevant for hypertensive disease, it has been shown that a selective lesion in brain regions with a permeable BBB – the SFO – hinders the typical hypertensive response to chronic infusion of angiotensin II (Marvar et al., 2010). Interestingly, with a lesioned SFO, mice were unable to prime T cell activation and promote their infiltration into the vasculature (Marvar et al., 2010), thus indicating that neural control of immune activation in hypertension does exist.
Breathing Lessons: Skills for Activating Parasympathetic Recovery
Published in Brian C. Miller, Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress, 2021
The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system that turns off the fight-or-flight response. The cognitive breath refers to the sympathetic response (the inbreath) that occurs during a stress event, followed by the parasympathetic response (the outbreath) that resolves the arousal.
The Gut-Brain-Microbiome Connection: Can Probiotics Decrease Anxiety and Depression?
Published in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2022
Jennifer Maybee, Tamera Pearson, Lydia Elliott
The term gut-brain-microbiota axis (GBMA) refers to the relationship between the central, autonomic, and enteric branches of the nervous system, the endocrine and immune systems, and the human microbiome. These body systems have bi-directional communication, which evokes a wide range of effects, from ensuring proper gastrointestinal functioning to affecting cognition and mood (Carabotti et al., 2015). The autonomic nervous system directs afferent signals from the enteric, vagal, and spinal pathways to the brain; while directing efferent signals from the brain to the enteric nervous system and intestinal wall, regulating gastrointestinal motility and function. The microbiota is a key component of human physiology, playing an essential role in regulation of health and disease. These microorganisms communicate with the enteric nervous system, intestinal cells, and the central nervous system, and are vital components of the GBMA. Early research exploring the relationship between the GBMA involved experiments on germ-free mice. These studies demonstrated that gut microbiota affects mood, behavior, stress response, and serotonin modulation by influencing brain neurochemistry (Carabotti et al., 2015). The close relationship between microbiome and mood illuminates possibilities for novel treatment modalities for common mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
The effect of oral contraceptive use on sympatic nerve activity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Published in Gynecological Endocrinology, 2022
Recep Emre Okyay, Buket Çetintaş, Aslı Akdöner, İbrahim Öztura, Gaye Eryaşar Yildirim, Erkan Çağliyan, Onur Yavuz, Ali Rıza Şişman
In PCOS, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertension, which are known as metabolic disease components, are also important risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Adrenergic overactivity is thought to lead to the formation of these metabolic components seen in PCOS. Therefore, adrenergic overactivity is accepted as an important marker in the development of cardiovascular disorders [3–5]. According to the literature, the autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the regulation of ovarian physiology [6]. Studies, showing increased sympathetic activity in PCOS support this view [7,8]. Common features of PCOS, such as obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), are associated with increased chronic sympathetic activity. This suggests that sympathetic excitation may play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS [9]. Weight loss [10] and low-frequency acupuncture and exercise [11,12] reduce muscular sympathetic neuroactivity (MSNA) and noradrenaline discharge in PCOS patients, and the treatment of OSA with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) similarly affects plasma noradrenaline levels and it has been shown to improve cardiac sympathovagal balance by reducing diastolic blood pressure [13].
Quantitative Evaluation of Pupil Responses in Patients with Prolactinomas Being Treated with Dopamine Agonists
Published in Neuro-Ophthalmology, 2022
Sedat Ava, Leyla Hazar, Mine Karahan, Seyfettin Erdem, Mehmet Emin Dursun, Zafer Pekkolay, Uğur Keklikçi
Normally, pupil responses are controlled by the autonomic nervous system. In the function of the PNS, acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter causes miosis in the pupil by stimulating the muscarinic receptors in the circular muscles of the iris, while in the function of the SNS, mydriasis occurs in the pupil when noradrenaline as a neurotransmitter stimulates the α-adrenergic receptors in the radial muscles of the iris.16 Sympathetic innervation is provided by the ipsilateral hypothalamus, while parasympathetic innervation is provided by the Edinger–Westphal nucleus located in the upper midbrain.17 Pupil responses normally reflect a balance between the SNS and PNS (between noradrenaline and acetylcholine) in the autonomic nervous system. In static pupillary function tests, PDs in dark environments show SNS function, whereas PDs in light environments show PNS function. Conversely, while the dilatation status (velocity and amplitude) of the pupil in dynamic tests indicates SNS function, the contraction status of the pupil (velocity and amplitude) indicates PNS function.