Circadian distribution of autostimulations in rVNS therapy in patients with refractory focal epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONS: Early morning peaks of autostimulations at low thresholds may reflect awakening-induced activation of the cardiovascular system, which is associated with a shift towards the dominance of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Cortisol release occurs in parallel driven by wakening-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is fine-tuned by direct sympathetic input to the adrenal gland. This is of interest considering the known sympathetic hyperactivity in patients with epilepsy. PMID: 32473521 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Epilepsy Behav Source Type: research