Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a serious neurodevelopmental disorder associated with autonomic nervous system dysregulation. The aim was to study complex cardiovascular autonomic regulation using heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) linear/non-linear analysis at rest and during orthostasis, and to assess plasma levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in autistic children. Twenty-five ASD boys and 25 age and gender-matched children at the age 7-15 years were examined. After venous blood taking, continuous ECG and blood pressure biosignals were recorded at rest and during orthostasis. Evaluated parameters: RR intervals, high- and low-frequency band of HRV spectral analysis (HF-HRV, LF-HRV), symbolic dynamics parameters 0V%, 1V%, 2LV%, 2UV%, low- and high-frequency band of SBPV (LF-SBPV, HF-SBPV), systolic, diastolic, mean blood pressure, EGF, VEGF plasma levels. RR intervals were significantly shortened and the HF-HRV, LF-SBPV, HF-SBPV parameters were significantly lower at rest, the HF-HRV and LF-SBPV remained lower during orthostasis in autistic children compared to controls (p<0.05). EGF plasma levels were significantly lower in ASD compared to controls (p=0.046). No significant differences were found in remaining parameters. Our study revealed tachycardia, cardiovagal underactivity, and blunted sympathetic vasomotor regulation at rest and during orthostasis in autistic children. Additionally, complex heart rate dynamics are similar in autistic children than controls. Furthermore, EGF was reduced in autistic children without significant correlations with any autonomic parameters. We suggest that the abnormal complex cardiovascular reflex control could contribute to understanding the pathway linking autonomic features and autism.
- MeSH
- autonomní nervový systém patofyziologie MeSH
- baroreflex MeSH
- biologické markery krev MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- epidermální růstový faktor krev MeSH
- krevní tlak * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- poruchy autistického spektra krev diagnóza patofyziologie MeSH
- srdce inervace MeSH
- srdeční frekvence * MeSH
- vaskulární endoteliální růstový faktor A krev MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Mental disorders affect 10-20 % of the young population in the world. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disease with a multifactorial and not clearly explained pathophysiology. Many cases remain undetected and untreated, which influences patients' physical and mental health and their quality of life also in adulthood. The aim of our pilot study was to assess the prediction value of selected potential biomarkers, including blood cell counts, blood cell ratios, and parameters like peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1), tenascin C (TNC) and type IV collagen (COL4) between depressive pediatric patients and healthy peers and to evaluate a short effect of antidepressant treatment. In this study, 27 young depressive patients and 26 non-depressed age-matched controls were included. Blood analyses and immunological assays using commercial kits were performed. Platelet count was the only blood parameter for which the case/control status was statistically significant (p=0.01) in a regression model controlling for the age and gender differences. The results from ELISA analyses showed that the case/control status is a significant predictor of the parameters PRDX1 (p=0.05) and COL4 (p=0.009) in respective regression model considering the age and gender differences between MDD patients and controls. A major finding of this study is that values of platelet count, monocyte to lymphocyte ratio, white blood cell, and monocyte counts were assessed by the Random Forest machine learning algorithm as relevant predictors for discrimination between MDD patients and healthy controls with a power of prediction AUC=0.749.
- MeSH
- biologické markery analýza MeSH
- depresivní porucha unipolární diagnóza epidemiologie psychologie MeSH
- kvalita života MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- pilotní projekty MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
It is assumed that the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is associated with the central autonomic dysregulation, however, the studies are rare. Analysis of pupillary light reflex represents a non-invasive tool to provide information related to the central autonomic regulation; thus, we aimed to evaluate potential disturbances in the central autonomic integrity using pupillary light reflex examination in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. We have examined 20 children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (10 boys, 13.0+/-2.3 years) and 20 age/gender-matched healthy subjects. Pupillary light reflex was examined at rest for both eyes using Pupillometer PLR-2000 (NeurOptics, USA). Evaluated parameters were: diameter of the pupil before the application of light stimulus and after illumination at the peak of the constriction, the percentual change of the pupil diameter during constriction, average constriction velocity, maximum constriction velocity and average dilation velocity. We found significantly lower percentual change of the pupil diameter during constriction for both eyes in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder group compared to controls (right eye: -25.81+/-1.23 % vs. -30.32+/-1.31 %, p<0.05, left eye: -25.44+/-1.65 % vs. -30.35+/-0.98 %, p<0.05). The average constriction velocity and maximum constriction velocity were significantly shortened in left eye in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder group compared to controls (p<0.05). Our findings revealed altered pupillary light reflex indicating abnormal centrally-mediated autonomic regulation characterized by parasympathetic underactivity associated with relative sympathetic predominance in children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
- MeSH
- autonomní nervový systém patologie MeSH
- hyperkinetická porucha patologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- reflex pupilární fyziologie účinky záření MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- světelná stimulace metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Phthalates are chemicals interfering with the function of testosterone and are suspected to play a role in the emergence of neurodevelopmental diseases. This could be due to interference with brain development for which optimal testosterone levels are essential. We investigated the effect of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to a phthalate mixture on the anogenital distance (AGD), plasma testosterone levels and social behavior in rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to a mixture of diethylhexyl, diisononyl and dibutyl phthalate, each at a dose of 4.5 mg/kg/day, from gestational day 15 to postnatal day 4. A social interaction test was performed to assess sociability in the three ontogenetic stages (weaning, puberty, adulthood). AGD was measured in adulthood to assess changes in prenatal testosterone levels. Plasma testosterone levels were measured in adults by a radioimmunoassay. The total frequency and time of socio-cohesive interactions were decreased in phthalate exposed females in weaning, puberty and adulthood. Phthalate exposed males showed a decrease in the frequency of social interactions in weaning only. Shorter anogenital distance was observed in adult males exposed to phthalates. Decreased testosterone levels were observed in the exposed group in both sexes. Our results suggest that early developmental phthalate exposure may play an important role in the hormonal and behavioral changes associated with several neurodevelopmental diseases.
- MeSH
- dibutylftalát toxicita MeSH
- diethylhexylftalát toxicita MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- kyseliny ftalové toxicita MeSH
- matka - expozice noxám škodlivé účinky MeSH
- novorozená zvířata MeSH
- pohlavní dospělost MeSH
- pohlavní orgány účinky léků patologie MeSH
- potkani Wistar MeSH
- sociální chování * MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- testosteron krev MeSH
- změkčovadla toxicita MeSH
- zpožděný efekt prenatální expozice chemicky indukované patologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The healthy development of the fetus depends on the exact course of pregnancy and delivery. Therefore, prenatal hypoxia remains between the greatest threats to the developing fetus. Our study aimed to assess the impact of prenatal hypoxia on postnatal development and behavior of the rats, whose mothers were exposed to hypoxia (10.5 % O2) during a critical period of brain development on GD20 for 12 h. This prenatal insult resulted in a delay of sensorimotor development of hypoxic pups compared to the control group. Hypoxic pups also had lowered postnatal weight which in males persisted up to adulthood. In adulthood, hypoxic males showed anxiety-like behavior in the OF, higher sucrose preference, and lower levels of grimace scale (reflecting the degree of negative emotions) in the immobilization chamber compared to the control group. Moreover, hypoxic animals showed hyperactivity in EPM and LD tests, and hypoxic females had reduced sociability compared to the control group. In conclusion, our results indicate a possible relationship between prenatal hypoxia and changes in sociability, activity, and impaired emotion regulation in ADHD, ASD, or anxiety disorders. The fact that changes in observed parameters are manifested mostly in males confirms that male sex is more sensitive to prenatal insults.
- MeSH
- acidobazická rovnováha MeSH
- bludiště - učení MeSH
- chování zvířat * MeSH
- gestační stáří MeSH
- hypoxie plodu komplikace patofyziologie MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- pohybová aktivita MeSH
- potkani Wistar MeSH
- preference v jídle MeSH
- senzorimotorický kortex růst a vývoj MeSH
- sexuální faktory MeSH
- sociální interakce MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- úleková reakce MeSH
- věkové faktory MeSH
- zpožděný efekt prenatální expozice * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), i.e. heart rate (HR) variations during inspiration and expiration, is considered as a noninvasive index of cardiac vagal control. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) could be associated with increased cardiovascular risk; however, the studies are rare particularly at adolescent age. Therefore, we aimed to study cardiac vagal control indexed by RSA in adolescent patients suffering from MVP using short-term heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. We examined 12 adolescents (girls) with MVP (age 15.9±0.5 years) and 12 age and gender matched controls. Resting ECG was continuously recorded during 5 minutes. Evaluated HRV indices were RR interval (ms), rMSSD (ms), pNN50 (%), log HF (ms(2)), peak HF (Hz) and respiratory rate (breaths/min). RR interval was significantly shortened in MVP group compared to controls (p=0.004). HRV parameters-rMSSD, pNN50 and log HF were significantly lower in MVP compared to controls (p=0.017, p=0.014, p= 0.015 respectively). Our study revealed reduced RSA magnitude indicating impaired cardiac vagal control in MVP already at adolescent age that could be crucial for early diagnosis of cardiovascular risk in MVP.
- MeSH
- elektrokardiografie metody MeSH
- index tělesné hmotnosti * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- nervus vagus fyziologie MeSH
- prolaps mitrální chlopně diagnóza patofyziologie MeSH
- respirační sinusová arytmie fyziologie MeSH
- srdeční frekvence fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Oculometric behaviour assessed by pupil response provides important information about central autonomic activity and emotional regulation. However, studies regarding pupil response to emotional stimuli in adolescent depression are rare. We aimed to study emotional-linked pupil response in adolescent depression. Twenty depressive adolescents (average age: 15.4+/-1.2 years) and 20 age/gender-matched healthy subjects were examined. Average pupil diameter assessed by eye-tracking and pupillary light reflex were evaluated during protocol - baseline, free-view task, recovery phase. Regarding right eye, significantly greater initial pupil diameter and pupil dilation to positive pictures free-viewing (p=0.013, p=0.031, respectively), significantly slower average and maximum constriction velocity in baseline and positive pictures free-viewing (p=0.036, p=0.050, p=0.021, p=0.015, respectively), significantly slower maximum constriction velocity in recovery phase (p=0.045), and significantly faster average dilation velocity in negative pictures free-viewing (p=0.042) were observed in depressive group. Regarding left eye, significantly lower constriction percentual change in negative pictures free-viewing (p=0.044) and significantly greater baseline pupil diameter and pupil diameter at the peak of constriction in positive vs. negative pictures free-viewing (p=0.002, p=0.015, respectively) were observed in depressive group. Our study revealed discrete central autonomic dysregulation - parasympathetic hypoactivity associated with relative sympathetic dominance influenced by impairments in emotional processing already in adolescent depression.
- MeSH
- autonomní nervový systém patofyziologie MeSH
- depresivní porucha unipolární patofyziologie psychologie MeSH
- emoce fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- reflex pupilární MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Cieľ. Prenatálny testosterón má signifikantný účinok na určité morfometrické (pomer druhého a štvrtého prsta - 2D:4D) a behaviorálne charakteristiky (identifikácia emócií a empatia) jedinca. Cieľom tejto štúdie bolo určiť či existuje vzťah medzi pomerom 2D:4D a hodnotami empatizačného kvocientu (EQ) u mladých ľudí zo Slovenska. Výskumný výber a metóda. Testovaciu vzorku predstavovalo 296 ľudí (149 mužov, 147 žien) vo veku 23,1± 2,3 rokov. Probandi podstúpili test zameraný na hodnotenie emócií z výrazu tváre. Na hodnotenie miery empatie probandi podstúpili samohodnotiaci test. Dĺžka druhého a štvrtého prsta bola meraná pomocou posuvného meradla. Hypotézy. Vyššie hladiny prenatálneho testosterónu udávané pomerom 2D:4D sú spojené s nižšou schopnosťou empatie. Štatistická analýza. Rozdiely medzi skupinami boli analyzované použitím t-testu (parametrické rozdelenie) alebo Mann-Whitney U testu (neparametrické rozdelenie). Analýza vzťahu medzi parametrami bola testovaná použitím Pearsonovho alebo Spearmanovho korelačného koeficientu. Výsledky. Na základe meraní lze konštatovať, že muži v porovnaní so ženami dosahovali nižšie hodnoty pre 2D:4D, EQ a vykazovali zníženú schopnosť identifikovať emócie z tváre. U mužov bola pozorovaná existencia pozitívneho korelačného vzťahu medzi celkovým 2D:4D a EQ, zatiaľ čo u žien žiadny korelačný vzťah pozorovaný nebol. Záverom je môžné konštatovať, že prenatálna expozícia testosterónu súvisí u mužov so zníženou schopnosťou empatie. Limity. Limitácie tejto štúdie sú nízky počet probandov a samohodnotiaci aspekt EQ testu, v dôsledku ktorého môže byť výsledok ovplyvnený osobnosťou participantov.
Objectives. The prenatal influence of testosterone has a significant effect on certain morphometric (second-to-fourth digit ratio – 2D:4D) and behavioural characteristics (identification of emotions and empathy) of an individual. The aim of our study was to determine the value of the empathizing quotient (EQ) and its relation to the ratio 2D:4D in population of young people born in Slovakia. Participants and settings. Test samples represented 296 individuals (149 males and 147 females) with average age of 23.1 years (SD = 2.3 year). Participants were administered to a test for the identification of emotions from facial expressions. To assess the ability to empathize, participants were administered an EQ test (a self-report test). The length of the second and the fourth finger was measured with a digital Vernier caliper. Hypotheses. Higher level of prenatal testosterone represented by lower 2D:4D is asscociated with lower ability to empathize. Statistical analysis. Differences between groups were statistically evaluated using t-test (normal distribution) or Mann-Whitney U test (non-normal distribution). Relationship between parameters was evaluated by Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results. Men compared to women achieved lower values for the 2D:4D ratio, EQ, and they exhibited reduced ability to identify emotions from facial expressions. The ratio of 2D:4D positively correlated with EQ in men but not in women. In conclusion, it can be stated that the prenatal exposure to testosterone is associated with decreased capability of men to empathize. Study limitation. Results of this study could be influenced by low number of participants as well as by personality-dependent self-assessment in the EQ test.
- MeSH
- embryonální a fetální vývoj MeSH
- empatie * klasifikace MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- prsty ruky anatomie a histologie embryologie růst a vývoj MeSH
- sexuální faktory MeSH
- testosteron analýza farmakologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
- Publikační typ
- abstrakt z konference MeSH
