Regulação Autonómica em Pacientes com Doença Arterial Aterosclerótica Intracraniana

Abstract

(1) Background: Intracranial arterial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) has been pointed by some studies as a contributor to vascular cognitive impairment. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms that play a part in the development of cognitive decline are not clearly understood. It was hypothesized that the autonomic nervous system could have a role in this matter, since it is frequently dysfunctional in neurological diseases. (2) Methods: Autonomic Nervous System was evaluated through parameters related to baroreflex, heart rate and blood pressure variability in ICAD patients, Healthy and Hypertensive Controls. The results were then compared between the 3 groups. The autonomic parameters were also correlated with performance in cognitive tests in ICAD patients. (3) Results: the ICAD group showed lower sympathetic activity in some autonomic tests when compared to both control groups and lower sympathetic activity correlated to a generally worse cognitive performance. (4) Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that ICAD tends to be associated with autonomic dysfunction, especially at sympathetic level, and that these alterations might possibly be responsible for the vascular cognitive impairment reported in this group of patients.