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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of varying inspiratory flow waveform and time in intermittent positive pressure ventilation. III: Blockade of the autonomic nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system was blocked in dogs which were exposed to independent alterations in inspiratory flow waveform and time whilst being ventilated artificially at a constant volume and frequency. There were statistically significant differences in cardiac output between the control and blocked states, but these differences were not of marked physiological significance. Alteration in inspiratory waveform or time in the blocked animals did not alter cardiac output significantly.

Animals

A psychophysiological re-evaluation of Eysenck's theory concerning cigarette smoking. Part II. The autonomic nervous system.

Eysenck states that neuroticism is a function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In contrast to extraversion, no study undertaken by Eysenck could reveal any relationship between neuroticism and cigarette smoking. In view of the fact that small doses of nicotine stimulate the nervous system, whereas large doses depress it, the hypothesis was tested that light and moderate smokers have a less active ANS than heavy smokers. They therefore smoke for the stimulation afforded by small doses of nicotine. Heavy smokers, however, smoke for the inhibition afforded by large doses of nicotine. None of the autonomic variables fully confirmed this hypothesis. The results for pulse volume and heart rate were only partly reconcilable with the hypothesis. These results are interpreted in terms of the complex action of nicotine on the cardiovascular system, as well as the probability that smokers smoke primarily for the effect of nicotine on the central nervous system (CNS), and that the concomitant changes in the ANS are coincidental.

Adult

[The influence of frequency and blockade of the autonomic nervous system on the functional behaviour of the human conduction system. Part A: Conduction velocity (author's transl)].

32 patients were studied by His-bundle recordings to examine the extent to which frequency and autonomic nervous system influence the conduction velocity in the subdivisions (atrium, AV-node, His-Purkinje system) of the normal PR-interval. The measurements were performed during sinus rhythm and three electrically induced atrial frequencies before and after intravenous administration of 1 mg Atropine (15 patients) and 0.4 mg Visken (17 patients). In influencing the atrial conduction velocity frequency dominates the blockade of both components of the autonomic nervous system. Increase in frequency lengthens the intraatrial conduction time. Blockade of parasympathicus and sympathicus does not significantly influence the changes in intraatrial conduction velocity induced by increase of frequency. Patients with prolonged intraatrial conduction respond in the same way to cycle length shortening and blockade of the autonomic tone as patients with normal conduction. The results are discussed with respect to acetylcholine and catecholamine influence on the electrophysiological properties of the atrial myocardium. The AV-node is the part of the conduction system most sensitive to the influence of both cycle length shortening and blockade of the autonomic nervous system. Artificially induced cycle length shortening prolongs the intranodal conduction time to a different individual level for each patient. Blockade of the parasympathicus not only shortens this interval but also reduces the steepness of the AH-time induced by atrial pacing. Blockade of the sympathicus has the opposite effect. The most likely explanation for these results is the abolishing of the functional dissociation within the AV-node by blocking the autonomic influence on this structure. The conduction velocity in the His-Purkinje system is influenced neither by atrial pacing nor by blockade of both components of the autonomic nervous system.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Autonomic nervous system disturbance in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

To demonstrate autonomic nervous system (ANS) disturbances in patients on chronic intermittent hemodialysis, simple noninvasive tests were used. These included the Valsalva maneuver ratio, measurement of the changes in blood pressure and pulse rate following standing up from the supine position, the finger-immersion test and calculating the R-R interval ratio of the 30th to the 15th beat on the ECG following standing. It was found that in all the patients who were compared with normal volunteers, some ANS disturbances were present, as evidenced by at least three positive tests of the five described. The Valsalva maneuver ratio was positive in only 58% of the cases, possibly because it is a less sensitive test than the others.

Adolescent

[Autonomous nervous system and bile ducts (author's transl)].

Storage, concentration and excretion of bile in the extrahepatic bile duct system are rather complicated processes being regulated by the autonomous nervous system. Groups of ganglionic cells and nerve fibers are located in the papilla, the neck of the gall bladder, and to a lesser degree in the wall of the gall bladder, that is to say in parts of the system which are important in regard to coordination of the excretory function. The number of ganglionic cells decreases in diseases which go along with functional disorders of the bile duct system. If the papilla Vateri and the duodenal musculature are disconnected anatomically, the papilla will retain autonomous muscular activity which however will not be coordinated any more with duodenal function, as the chymus passes by. Parasympathetic activity plays a major role in regulating the complicated mechanism of bile excretion. The autonomous nervous system is important for normal functioning not only of bile excretion but also of other organs; this explains the coincidence of dyskinesia of the bile ducts with other functional disorders being observed rather often. Autonomous regulation of bile excretion has to be taken into consideration as well, when it comes to outlining a therapeutic regimen.

Autonomic Nervous System

Alertness and clear thinking as characteristics of high naturally occurring autonomic nervous system arousal.

Studies of the effect of induced mood on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) suggested that naturally occurring mood might also covary with the ANS. Ss were 13 men and women aged 20 to 70. Fatigue, confusion, and depression were measured on the Profile of Mood States, while barometric pressure and the ANS indices of heart rate and body temperature were also recorded. Fatigue and confusion each showed negative relationships to both heart rate and body temperature. Barometric pressure showed a suggestively positive relationship to the mood of depression. Hypothalamic serotonin concentration was suggested as a central factor producing the covariations between the mood indices (alertness and clear thinking) and the ANS measures.

Adult

Effects of a programmed reflexology therapy on sleep quality, insomnia, and fatigue among individuals with poor sleep quality: evidence for autonomic nervous system modulation.

Poor sleep quality is closely associated with autonomic dysregulation and increased risks of cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental disorders. Foot reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy; however, its physiological mechanisms and comparative efficacy remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to compare the effects of manual reflexology treatment (MRT) and foot massage equipment (FEM) on autonomic nervous system function, sleep quality, insomnia severity, and fatigue in adults with poor sleep quality. Using a randomized crossover design, 32 participants with poor sleep quality received MRT and FEM interventions for 6 weeks each (once weekly, 30-40 min/session). Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and heart rate variability (HRV; time- and frequency-domain indices) were assessed at weeks 1 and 6 before and after each intervention. Subjective outcomes included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Following MRT, participants demonstrated significantly greater reductions in global PSQI scores and all PSQI components compared with FEM. MRT also resulted in larger improvements in insomnia severity and both mental and physical fatigue. In contrast, FEM primarily improved physical fatigue. Physiologically, MRT induced an immediate decrease in HR and significant increases in HRV time-domain indices (SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50), which were sustained after 6 weeks. Frequency-domain analysis further revealed reduced LF, increased HF, and a lower LF/HF ratio, indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity and cumulative autonomic modulation. In conclusion, programmed manual reflexology, delivered according to the TIDieR framework, is more effective than mechanical foot massage in improving autonomic balance, sleep quality, insomnia severity, and fatigue in individuals with poor sleep quality. These findings support MRT as a feasible and evidence-based non-pharmacological complementary intervention for sleep health promotion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov; NCT Number: NCT07402460; Registered 3 February 2026.

Adult

Autonomic nervous system and arrhythmias: studies in the transplanted denervated human heart.

The function of the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) was evaluated by comparison of normal subjects with cardiac transplant recipients. By use of standard intracardiac His bundle recording techniques, the following conclusions regarding basic cardiac electrophysiology were drawn: (1) the sinus node functions normally at rest despite autonomic denervation; (2) the AV node does not show the expected decrease in functional refractory period with increased heart rate in the denervated state, and (3) the adrenergic receptor of the cardiac conduction system does not depend upon autonomic innervation to function normally. Electrophysiologic studies of digitalis demonstrated: (1) in therapeutic doses, the AV nodal blocking effect of digitalis is autonomically mediated; (2) sinus node slowing by digitalis also requires an intact autonomic innervation. Arrhythmia analysis in 47 transplant patients revealed an increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in autonomic cardiac denervation. In addition, sudden death in the ischemic denervated heart does occur, weakening the concept of a primary role of the cardiac ANS in this phenomenon.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac