Journal article
Relative burst amplitude of muscle sympathetic nerve activity is an indicator of altered sympathetic outflow in chronic anxiety
Journal of neurophysiology, Vol.120(1), pp.11-22
07/01/2018
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00064.2018
PMCID: PMC6093954
PMID: 29537916
Abstract
Relative burst amplitude of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is an indicator of augmented sympathetic outflow and contributes to greater vasoconstrictor responses. Evidence suggests anxiety-induced augmentation of relative MSNA burst amplitude in patients with panic disorder; thus we hypothesized that acute stress would result in augmented relative MSNA burst amplitude and vasoconstriction in individuals with chronic anxiety. Eighteen participants with chronic anxiety (ANX; 8 men, 10 women, 32 ± 2 yr) and 18 healthy control subjects with low or no anxiety (CON; 8 men, 10 women, 39 ± 3 yr) were studied. Baseline MSNA and 24-h blood pressure were similar between ANX and CON ( P > 0.05); however, nocturnal systolic blood pressure % dipping was blunted among ANX ( P = 0.02). Relative MSNA burst amplitude was significantly greater among ANX compared with CON immediately preceding (anticipation) and during physiological stress [2-min cold pressor test; ANX: 73 ± 5 vs. CON: 59 ± 3% arbitrary units (AU), P = 0.03] and mental stress (4-min mental arithmetic; ANX: 65 ± 3 vs. CON: 54 ± 3% AU, P = 0.02). Increases in MSNA burst frequency, incidence, and total activity in response to stress were not augmented among ANX compared with CON ( P > 0.05), and reduction in brachial artery conductance during cold stress was similar between ANX and CON ( P = 0.92). Relative MSNA burst amplitude during mental stress was strongly correlated with state ( P < 0.01) and trait ( P = 0.01) anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), independent of age, sex, and body mass index. Thus in response to acute stress, both mental and physiological, individuals with chronic anxiety demonstrate selective augmentation in relative MSNA burst amplitude, indicating enhanced sympathetic drive in a population with higher risk for cardiovascular disease. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Relative burst amplitude of muscle sympathetic nerve activity in response to acute mental and physiological stress is selectively augmented in individuals with chronic anxiety, which is a prevalent condition that is associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. Augmented sympathetic burst amplitude occurs with chronic anxiety in the absence of common comorbidities. These findings provide important insight into the relation between anxiety, acute stress and sympathetic activation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Relative burst amplitude of muscle sympathetic nerve activity is an indicator of altered sympathetic outflow in chronic anxiety
- Creators
- Seth W Holwerda - Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa , Iowa City, IowaRachel E Luehrs - Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, IowaAllene L Gremaud - Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, IowaNealy A Wooldridge - Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, IowaAmy K Stroud - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa , Iowa City, IowaJess G Fiedorowicz - Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa , Iowa City, IowaFrancois M Abboud - Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa , Iowa City, IowaGary L Pierce - Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of neurophysiology, Vol.120(1), pp.11-22
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1152/jn.00064.2018
- PMID
- 29537916
- PMCID
- PMC6093954
- ISSN
- 0022-3077
- eISSN
- 1522-1598
- Grant note
- T32 HL007121 / NHLBI NIH HHS T35 HL007485 / NHLBI NIH HHS P01 HL014388 / NHLBI NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/01/2018
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Health and Human Physiology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984002475002771
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