Cortical morphometric predictors of autonomic dysfunction in generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with both autonomic dysfunction, notably decreased vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), and neurostructural abnormalities. Regional differences in brain morphometry correlate with vmHRV in healthy individuals. Here, we tested the hypothesis that specific focal abnormalities in cortical structure in GAD underpin decreased vmHRV. Adult female patients with GAD (n  = 17) and matched controls (n = 18) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging after characterization of symptoms and quantification of resting vmHRV derived from continuous pulse oximetry.

Source: Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical - January 4, 2019 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Luca Carnevali, Matteo Mancini, Julian Koenig, Elena Makovac, David R. Watson, Frances Meeten, Hugo D. Critchley, Cristina Ottaviani Source Type: research