Time- and frequency-domain parameters of heart rate variability and sympathetic skin response in Parkinson’s disease

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Walter Maetzler - , University of Tübingen, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (Author)
  • Marie Karam - , University of Tübingen, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (Author)
  • Monika Fruhmann Berger - , University of Tübingen, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (Author)
  • Tanja Heger - , University of Tübingen, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (Author)
  • Corina Maetzler - , University of Tübingen, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (Author)
  • Heinz Ruediger - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Juliana Bronzova - , University of Lisbon (Author)
  • Patricia Pita Lobo - , University of Lisbon (Author)
  • Joaquim J. Ferreira - , University of Lisbon (Author)
  • Tjalf Ziemssen - , Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Daniela Berg - , University of Tübingen, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (Author)

Abstract

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is regularly affected in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Information on autonomic dysfunction can be derived from e.g. altered heart rate variability (HRV) and sympathetic skin response (SSR). Such parameters can be quantified easily and measured repeatedly which might be helpful for evaluating disease progression and therapeutic outcome. In this 2-center study, HRV and SSR of 45 PD patients and 26 controls were recorded. HRV was measured during supine metronomic breathing and analyzed in time- and frequency-domains. SSR was evoked by repetitive auditory stimulation. Various ANS parameters were compared (1) between patients and healthy controls, (2) to clinical scales (Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, Becks Depression Inventory), and (3) to disease duration. Root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio differed significantly between PD and controls. Both, HRV and SSR parameters showed low or no association with clinical scores. Time-domain parameters tended to be affected already at early PD stages but did not consistently change with longer disease duration. In contrast, frequency-domain parameters were not altered in early PD phases but tended to be lower (LF, LF/HF ratio), respectively higher (HF) with increasing disease duration. This report confirms previous results of altered ANS parameters in PD. In addition, it suggests that (1) these ANS parameters are not relevantly associated with motor, behavioral, and cognitive changes in PD, (2) time-domain parameters are useful for the assessment of early PD, and (3) frequency-domain parameters are more closely associated with disease duration.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)419-425
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neural Transmission
Volume122
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 25038873

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Autonomic nervous system, Heart rate variability, Neurodegeneration, Parkinson’s disease, Progression, Sympathetic skin response