Key result
The current literature supports a role for impaired parasympathetic drive, but not for increased sympathetic drive, in the periphery during sleep in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Why the study?
Existing data on autonomic nervous system status during sleep in PTSD were limited, and better understanding may provide insights into the elevated prevalence of cardiovascular disease in PTSD.
Does posttraumatic stress disorder alter autonomic nervous system regulation during sleep?
Does posttraumatic stress disorder alter autonomic nervous system regulation during sleep?
Impaired parasympathetic drive during sleep in patients with PTSD may contribute to their elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May link impaired parasympathetic drive during sleep to higher CVD risk in PTSD; leaves open prospective trials before clinical translation.
The following article reviews the existing data on autonomic nervous system status in posttraumatic stress disorder. This review is embedded in a framework that considers the comparative ethology of sleep under threat. In sum, the current literature, though still quite limited, supports a role for impaired parasympathetic drive but not for increased sympathetic drive in the periphery during sleep in PTSD. Understanding this domain better can be expected to provide insights into the elevated prevalence of cardiovascular disease in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may help to identify as-yet unrecognized medical comorbidities. Measurement issues and future opportunities are considered.
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Steven H. Woodward (2022) conducted a review in Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current literature supports a role for impaired parasympathetic drive, but not for increased sympathetic drive, in the periphery during sleep in posttraumatic stress disorder.
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