Abstract
Autoregressive spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was performed in 29 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 33 age- matched healthy subjects to evaluate the involvement of the autonomic nervous system. HRV analysis provides a means to recognize low (LF) and high (HF) frequency components, respectively mediated by sympathetic and parasympathetic heart control. An increase in the mean heart rate at rest (P <0.001), a decrease in standard deviation of R-R interval as well as in PNN50 (P <0.001), and an increase in the LF/HF component ratio (P <0.01) were found in the ALS patients, indicating a vigil-sympathetic imbalance. These alterations were not related to the clinical features and to the duration of the disease. Our results suggest a subclinical involvement of the autonomic nervous system in ALS, particularly affecting parasympathetic cardiovascular control.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1225-1231 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Muscle and Nerve |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- autonomic nervous system
- dysautonomia
- heart rate variability
- spectral analysis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neuroscience(all)