P03 Dysautonomias

Correlation between Temporal Lobe EEG Asymmetry and Heart Rate Variability (P03.031)
Charles Tegeler1, Sung Lee2, Catherine Tegeler3 and Hossam Shaltout4
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Neurology Wake Forest School of Medicine Winston Salem NC Research Coordinator Brain State Technologies, LLC Scottsdale AZ 3 Neurology Wake Forest School of Medicine Winston Salem NC 4 Hypertension and Vascular Research Wake Forest School of Medicine Winston Salem NC

OBJECTIVE: Explore whether heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with temporal lobe asymmetry as measured by electroencephalography (EEG). BACKGROUND: HRV reflects autonomic signals to the heart. Low HRV is associated with poor outcomes in cardiovascular health, metabolic function, neuropsychological function, and neonatology. It is of interest to explore ways to monitor upstream neural drivers of HRV through simple, non-invasive, means. Studies suggest lateralization of cortical management of the autonomic nervous system, with the right hemisphere being principle manager of sympathetic activity, and the left hemisphere of parasympathetic. Two-channel EEG recordings at homologous hemispheric regions, particularly temporal lobes, given proximity to the insula and limbic system which are implicated in autonomic functioning, may index balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. DESIGN/METHODS: Twenty-three subjects, 14 women, mean age 52 (22-83), were consecutively enrolled in a cross-sectional, open-label, IRB-approved study evaluating the efficacy of a non-invasive EEG-based intervention for PTSD, TBI, hot flashes, and other conditions. All subjects had short-term blood pressure and heart rate recordings (5 minutes) and 2-channel EEG recordings at homologous hemispheric regions pre-intervention. 1-minute EEG epochs at the bilateral temporal lobes (T3 and T4, eyes closed) were selected for analysis. Asymmetry scores (AS) for T3 and T4 (23-36 hertz) were calculated by subtracting log of power at T3 from log of power at T4. The AS for each subject was plotted against RMSSD (root mean square successive difference), a standard HRV index of vagal cardiac control. RESULTS: Higher temporal lobe AS (dominance of T4 over T3, 23-36 hertz range) were correlated with lower RMSSD (Spearman correlation [r = -0.4783], p= [0.021]). CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency EEG asymmetry at the temporal lobes may index activity of higher order brain structures associated with autonomic function, which drive the variability in HRV, with relevance for many clinical conditions. Supported by: Partially supported by a grant from the Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation. Disclosure: Dr. Tegeler has received personal compensation for activities with Genetech, Inc. as a speaker. Dr. Lee has received personal compensation for activities with Brain State Technologies as a research coordinator. Dr. Tegeler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shaltout has nothing to disclose.