Bupropion increases cerebral activation in auditory affective processing: A randomized controlled fMRI study.

Introduction: Bupropion is an antidepressant with less possibility to give rise to emotional blunting as side effect, and it also acts on improving negative self-recognition in a depressive state. Previous neuroimaging studies indicated a change in brain function by facial expression as an effect of antidepressants. As well as facial expression, vocal affective processing is essential for accurately recognizing another's feelings, but to our knowledge, no study has investigated whether bupropion affects the cerebral function of recognition of auditory affective processing.

Heart rate response to orthostatic challenge in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease.

Background: To elucidate the differences in autonomic dysfunction between dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease using a simple and convenient method, we investigated the heart rate response to orthostatic challenge.

Methods: Ninety-seven people participated in this cross-sectional study, and data from 26 DLB patients, 29 Alzheimer's disease patients, and 25 healthy elderly individuals were analysed. Participants underwent postural changes, including 5 min in a supine position, 1 min in a sitting position, and 3 min in an orthostatic position.

Changes in cardiac autonomic nervous system activity during a course of electroconvulsive therapy.

Aim: Although electroencephalogram (EEG) seizure duration and seizure threshold change during a course of electroconvulsive therapy, the mechanisms by which these factors influence heart rate during subsequent electroconvulsive therapy sessions are currently unclear. In the current study, we investigated changes in heart rate during electroconvulsive therapy.

Methods: We recorded electroencephalography and electrocardiography during electroconvulsive therapy in 12 patients with major depressive disorder.

Is prolongation of corrected QT interval associated with seizures induced by electroconvulsive therapy reduced by atropine sulfate?

Background: Electrocardiogram abnormalities have been reported during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation indicates delayed ventricular repolarization, which can trigger ventricular arrhythmias such as torsade de pointes (TdP). We examined the QTc changes during generalized tonic-clonic seizures induced by ECT, and the effects of atropine sulfate on these QTc changes.

A Triphasic Change of Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System During Electroconvulsive Therapy.

Objectives: Dynamic autonomic activity changes have been repeatedly reported during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However, the specific timing of these changes remains unclear. To clarify whether sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous activity contributes separately to the second stage and the third stage during and after induced seizures by ECT, we examined heart rate (HR) and spectral analysis of variability (HRV) during ECT.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation in patients with and without subsequent permanent atrial fibrillation based on a retrospective questionnaire survey.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AF) differ between patients with and without subsequent permanent AF. Sixty-four patients (68 +/- 10 years old, 45 males) were recruited. AF follow-up was started at the age of 61 +/- 10 years and accomplished in a median period of 4.

Ultrasonic anisotropy measured in 2-dimensional echocardiograms in vitro and verified by histology.

This study aims to validate ultrasonic anisotropy in 2-dimensional echocardiograms by one-to-one histological correlation. Thirteen echograms were obtained in vitro from 9 specimens of 2 left ventricles of healthy adult beagle dogs and were correlated with corresponding histology in regard to ultrasound orientation relative to the local fiber direction. Median value of pixel echogenicity (255-rank) was lower in areas with parallel (n = 9, 18 ± 13) than in those with oblique (n = 7, 41 ± 14, P < 0.

Oxygen uptake kinetics during and after exercise are useful markers of coronary artery disease in patients with exercise electrocardiography suggesting myocardial ischemia.

Background: The aim of the current study was to determine if the slowed exercise oxygen uptake (VO(2)) kinetics, which is developed by myocardial ischemia, would be accompanied by delayed recovery VO(2) kinetics in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: Thirty-seven patients with significant ST depression during treadmill exercise underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing with cycle ergometer. Measurements performed are the ratios of change in increase in oxygen (O(2)) uptake relative to increase in work rate (DeltaVO(2)/DeltaWR) across anaerobic threshold (AT) and 1 mm ST depression point (ST-dep), the time constants of VO(2) during recovery (T(1/2) VO(2)), stress radio-isotope scintigraphy and coronary angiography.

Molecular heterogeneity of urinary albumin in glomerulonephritis: comparison of cardiovascular disease with albuminuria.

Background: Despite the unstable structure of urinary albumin in kidney diseases, urinary albumin fragments have been identified by denaturing methods such as two-dimensional electrophoresis. This study examined the relationship between the structural heterogeneity of urinary albumin and protease effects.

Methods: Urine samples from patients with glomerulonephritis (GN), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and healthy subjects were analyzed by non-reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE), Western blot, diagonal 2-dimensional non-reducing/reducing (d2D) SDS PAGE, and albumin zymography.

Reentrant circuits in the canine atrioventricular node during atrial and ventricular echoes: electrophysiological and histological correlation.

Background: The anatomic-electrophysiological correlation of AV nodal reentry is unclear. To localize reentrant circuits during atrial and ventricular echoes and to characterize sites of slow conduction and block, we correlated histology with electrophysiology of the AV node.

Methods And Results: In 10 isolated dog hearts, extracellular electrical activity was recorded in Koch's triangle at 208 or 247 sites (interelectrode distance, 0.

Correlation between electroencephalography and heart rate variability during sleep.

It is known that autonomic nervous activities change in correspondence with sleep stages. However, the characteristics of continuous fluctuations in nocturnal autonomic nerve tone have not been clarified in detail. The study aimed to determine the possible correlation between the electroencephalogram (EEG) and autonomic nervous activities, and to clarify in detail the nocturnal fluctuations in autonomic nerve activities.

Electrical conduction in canine pulmonary veins: electrophysiological and anatomic correlation.

Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients is often initiated by foci in the pulmonary veins. The mechanism of these initiating arrhythmias is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine electrophysiological characteristics of canine pulmonary veins that may predispose to initiating arrhythmias.