Research of autonomic nervous system activity in psychiatric patients

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24791221
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: KISHIDA IKUKO 横浜市立大学, 附属病院, 講師 (60464533)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 統合失調症 / 自律神経活動 / メタボリックシンドローム / 薬理遺伝学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to assess autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity among patients with schizophrenia in Japan, and the influence on metabolic syndrome (MS).
We assessed ANS activity in 211 schizophrenia and 44 healthy controls by means of heart-rate variability power spectral analysis. We found significantly lower ANS activity in schizophrenic patients than controls. Next, the patient group was categorized into three subgroups according to daily dose of antipsychotic drug. The high-dose group showed a significantly lower ANS activity than the medium-dose group and an even lower ANS activity than the low-dose group. On the other hand, no association was found between β3 adrenergic receptor Trp64Arg gene polymorphisms and ANS activity. There was not significant difference in ANS activity between patients with and without MS.
These results suggest that antipsychotic drugs exert a significant dose-dependent effect on the extent of decline in ANS activity.

Free Research Field

臨床精神薬理、薬理遺伝学