Heart-Brain Axis: Effects of Neurologic Injury on Cardiovascular Function.
A complex interaction exists between the nervous and cardiovascular systems. A large network of cortical and subcortical brain regions control cardiovascular function via the sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow. A dysfunction in one system may lead to changes in the function of the other. The effects of cardiovascular disease on the nervous system have been widely studied; however, our understanding of the effects of neurological disorders on the cardiovascular system has only expanded in the past 2 decades. Various pathologies of the nervous system can lead to a wide range of alterations in function and structure of the cardiovascular system ranging from transient and benign electrographic changes to myocardial injury, cardiomyopathy, and even cardiac death. In this article, we first review the anatomy and physiology of the central and autonomic nervous systems in regard to control of the cardiovascular function. The effects of neurological injury on cardiac function and structure will be summarized, and finally, we review neurological disorders commonly associated with cardiovascular manifestations.
From the Neurosciences Critical Care Division, Departments of Neurology, Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, and Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Pouya
P
Tahsili-Fahadan
From the Neurosciences Critical Care Division, Departments of Neurology, Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, and Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. rgeocad1@jhmi.edu.
Romergryko G
RG
Geocadin
D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
arrhythmias; autonomic nervous system; cardiomyopathy; cerebrovascular disease; stroke; sudden cardiac death