Primary Headaches and their Relationship with the Autonomic Nervous System

Headache disorders, described as early as 3000 BC, represent both a treatment challenge and a serious public health concern, with impact on the individual and society. Existing research in primary headache syndromes (not being caused by any underlying problem) focuses mainly on pain mechanisms. However, the painful symptomatology is the main encounter for the decreased quality of life and discomfort, the vegetative manifestations that frequently accompany the cephalalgic syndromes represent an important source of distress. Despite the advancement of the understanding of the molecular basis of headache disorders and neurovascular complex interactions, there is still lack of a cohesive understanding of the neurovegetative modulation in different types of primary cephalalgic syndromes. The aim of this chapter is to present an overview of the neurochemical mechanisms and pathways, which subtend dysautonomic manifestations in headache

Autonomic dysfunction and peripheral nerve involvement in patients with Parkinson's disease

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic illness which damages central and peripheral nervous system. The presence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in PD, it has been suggested to be the effect of treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate autonomic cardiac control in PD patients with normal serum levels of vitamin B12 by means of spectral analysis of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) and also to assess the prevalence of PN using electrophysiological examinations. Methods: 30 (18 male and 12 female) with PD were compared to 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Short-term ECG was used to calculate time domain and spectral parameters of HRV. The stimulodetection examination was realized in the motor fibers of median, peroneal and tibial nerves, and in the sensitive fibers of median and sural nerve according to the standard procedures. Results: Low and high frequency were lower in PD patients than in controls (LF: 332.±288.4 ms² PD vs 723.9±348.2 ms2 C; HF: 283.72±241.97 ms² PD vs 530.54±226.5 ms² C, p<0.01). No differences between LF/HF ratio of PD and controls appeared. Sensory nerve action potential in sural nerve was reduced in PD patients. No differences between sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities of PD and controls appeared. Conclusions: PD causes dysfunction of autonomic cardiovascular regulation and peripheral nerve involvement

Impact of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on the Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide characterized by the deposition of lipids and fibrous elements in the form of atheroma plaques in vascular areas which are hemodynamically overloaded. The global burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is steadily increasing and is considered the largest known non-infectious pandemic. The management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is increasing the cost of health care worldwide, which is a concern for researchers and physicians and has caused them to strive to find effective long-term strategies to improve the efficiency of treatments by managing conventional risk factors. Primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the preferred method to reduce cardiovascular risk. Fasting, a Mediterranean diet, and caloric restriction can be considered useful clinical tools. The protective impact of physical exercise over the cardiovascular system has been studied in recent years with the intention of explaining the mechanisms involved; the increase in heat shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes and regulators of cardiac myocyte proliferation concentration seem to be the molecular and biochemical shifts that are involved. Developing new therapeutic strategies such as vagus nerve stimulation, either to prevent or slow the disease’s onset and progression, will surely have a profound effect on the lives of millions of people