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Relationship of Nervous System and Its Effectors in Health, Aging and Disease

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Aging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 October 2023) | Viewed by 6264

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Exercise Physiology and Functional Anatomy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Świętojańska 20, 85-077 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: cardiology; gerontology; geriatrics; older adults; hypertension; orthostatic hypotension
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Exercise Physiology and Functional Anatomy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Świętojańska 20, 85-077 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: ME/CFS; CFS; fatigue; neuroscience; physiology; MADLF; autonomic nervous system; cognitive function
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Exercise Physiology and Functional Anatomy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Świętojańska 20, 85-077 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: autonomic nervous system; HRV
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Exercise Physiology and Functional Anatomy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Świętojańska 20, 85-077 Bydgoszcz, Poland
2. Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Warsaw Medical University, 1b Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: pathological mechanisms; biomarkers; diagnosis and therapy of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The brain controls other internal organs to regulate responses in the ever-changing ambient environment. This action might be modulated by the input of information to the brain from external and internal sensors. However, there are considerable gaps in current knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of many phenomena related to the brain–effector relationship. Brain–heart interactions during stroke, followed by a cardiovascular complication and etiology of some cardiac arrhythmias, are not yet fully understood. Despite extensive research on the interaction between gut microbiota and the brain in the recent years, the mechanism underlying the gut–brain axis is yet to be effectively described. What might be truly helpful is the overview of the multi-organ cross-talk between the brain and other organs, including many brain–peripheral organ relationships, into one unifying description. In addition, the aging process seems to have a pleiotropic effect on human physiology; therefore, research on the influence of aging might be crucial in painting a full picture of the dynamics of these relationships. 

For this research topic, we aim to explore the current research of physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between the brain and other organs using two approaches: examining its dynamics in response to aging and its applicability in a clinical setting. Since no single study can reveal all aspects related to this topic, our knowledge should be gradually developed using many different approaches based on high-quality scientific research.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this research topic, all types of research (descriptive, correlational, causal-comparative/quasi-experimental, and experimental research) are welcome. This Special Issue welcomes a wide range of manuscript types: original research; reviews; meta-analyses; policy and practice reviews; hypothesis and theory; perspectives; clinical trials; case reports; community case studies; conceptual analyses; data reports; policy briefs; brief research reports; general commentaries; and opinions. 

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • Neural factors in etiology of hypertension.
  • Acute and long-term effects of caffeine, ethanol, nicotine and other frequently ingested drugs on blood pressure regulation. 
  • Role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in orthostatic hypotension. Current perspectives and treatment.
  • Effects of aging on ANS and CNS function and its implications in the development of systemic disorders: hypertension; diabetes type II; cardiac arrhythmias and others.
  • Interaction between adipokines, myokines and the nervous system in health and disease.
  • Role of adipokines in the etiology of hypertension.
  • Effects of transcranial brain stimulation on autonomic nervous system (ANS) parameters.
  • Relationship between brain/cognitive activity and ANS function.
  • Influence of brain/mind/cognitive-based therapy on ANS activity in healthy participants.
  • Influence of breathing techniques on central autonomic networks and ANS.
  • Cooccurrence of peripheral disorders: cardiovascular, metabolic, polycystic ovary syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome with brain/psychiatric diseases. 
  • Effects of treatment of peripheral disorders on brain function/co-existing psychiatric symptoms.
  • Effects of diet on brain and effects of neural control in diet-related behavior: comfort food and soul food. Physiology and therapeutic implications.
  • Machine learning/artificial intelligence applications in the exploration of nervous system functioning.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Healthcare.

Dr. Agnieszka Kujawska
Dr. Sławomir Kujawski
Dr. Joanna Slomko
Prof. Dr. Pawel Zalewski
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • brain
  • autonomic nervous system
  • central autonomic network
  • heart rate variability
  • blood pressure
  • complementary medicine
  • alternative medicine
  • talking therapies
  • psychotherapy
  • mind–body connection
  • neurovisceral integration
  • polyvagal theory

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 32699 KiB  
Article
Meta-Analysis of Exploring the Effect of Curcumin Supplementation with or without Other Advice on Biochemical and Anthropometric Parameters in Patients with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)
by Gracjan Różański, Hanna Tabisz, Marta Zalewska, Wojciech Niemiro, Sławomir Kujawski, Julia Newton, Paweł Zalewski and Joanna Słomko
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4266; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054266 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2993
Abstract
Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common chronic liver disease. MAFLD is characterized by the excessive presence of lipids in liver cells and metabolic diseases/dysfunctions, e.g., obesity, diabetes, pre-diabetes, or hypertension. Due [...] Read more.
Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common chronic liver disease. MAFLD is characterized by the excessive presence of lipids in liver cells and metabolic diseases/dysfunctions, e.g., obesity, diabetes, pre-diabetes, or hypertension. Due to the current lack of effective drug therapy, the potential for non-pharmacological treatments such as diet, supplementation, physical activity, or lifestyle changes is being explored. For the mentioned reason, we reviewed databases to identify studies that used curcumin supplementation or curcumin supplementation together with the use of the aforementioned non-pharmacological therapies. Fourteen papers were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicate that the use of curcumin supplementation or curcumin supplementation together with changes in diet, lifestyle, and/or physical activity led to statistically significant positive changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting blood insulin (FBI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and waist circumference (WC). It appears that these therapeutic approaches may be effective in alleviating MAFLD, but more thorough, better designed studies are needed to confirm this. Full article
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14 pages, 3006 KiB  
Article
Modulation of Heart Rate Variability following PAP Ion Magnetic Induction Intervention in Subjects with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study
by Antonio Viti, Giulia Panconi, Sara Guarducci, Susanna Garfagnini, Mosè Mondonico, Riccardo Bravi and Diego Minciacchi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3934; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053934 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2662
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has emerged as a simple and non-invasive technique to indirectly evaluate the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and it is considered a sensible and advanced index of health status. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are widely used in clinical settings [...] Read more.
Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has emerged as a simple and non-invasive technique to indirectly evaluate the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and it is considered a sensible and advanced index of health status. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are widely used in clinical settings for improving the health status of individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The aim of the present single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel pilot study was to investigate the acute effect of a single session of PEMFs stimulation by a PAP ion magnetic induction (PAPIMI) device on ANS activity, as measured by HRV, in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and compare such effect with that induced by a sham (control) PAPIMI inductor. Thirty-two patients were randomized into two groups: PAPIMI intervention (PAP) (n = 17) and sham PAPIMI intervention (SHAM-PAP) (n = 15). HRV was assessed before and following the interventions. The PAP group showed a significant increase in all values of the time-domain parameters (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, and pNN50) and the HF component of HRV, suggesting a parasympathetic effect. In contrast, the SHAM-PAP group showed no significant differences in all HRV indices following the intervention. Preliminary findings suggested that PAPIMI inductor could influence ANS activity and provided initial evidence of the potential physiological response induced by the PAPIMI device. Full article
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