title: Brain-heart interaction in takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
abstract: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is classically stress induced and characterized by regional wall motion abnormalities in the absence of coronary occlusion. It predominantly affects postmenopausal women; emotional and physical stressors can trigger the classic cardiomyopathic findings. These changes are likely mediated by catecholamines, which cause a distinctive pattern of ventricular dysfunction with a unique pathologic phenotype of apical ballooning. Underlying mood disorders increase the risk for developing takotsubo cardiomyopathy after a triggering event. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is one of several brain-heart disorders; its unique pathology can shed light on the complex interactions between the brain, sympathetic nervous system, and the cardiovascular system.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Judith Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Goldfinger
authors.forename: Ajith
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Brett A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sealove
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018754:Ventricular Dysfunction