Abstract:
In this study the influence of the autonomic nervous system of adolescents with psychosis was reviewed in comparison with a control group with diagnoses of the entire spectrum of psychiatric disorders in adolescence.
It is a retrospective study with 36 patients with psychosis and 123 different patients of the Psychiatry of Children and Adolescents at the age of 15-18 years as well as two probands at the age of 19 and 20. The analysis of the parameters was conducted on a 256 second section of a semi-standardized ECG recording.
For this the heart rate, parameters pNN00 to pNN90, the parasympathetic markers SDRR, RMSSD, CV, HF, MF, SD1 and SD2 as well as the sympathetic values LF and LF/HF-Ratio were determined. As a comprehensive measure for the autonomic arousal the heart rate variability enables a differentiation in both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system.
In total it shows a decrease of the heart rate variability in adolescents with psychosis which is demonstrated by a decreased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, significant differences between SDRR and CV between case and control group, as well as a tendency to a higher activity of the sympathetic nervous system which was proved by a difference of the LFPowsum. Furthermore, there was evidence of a higher heart rate on adolescents with psychosis.
Grouped by different medicinal therapies, an intensified influence of the sympathetic nervous system in patients under typical antipsychotics in the test group is shown.
This was evidenced by an increased heart rate and increased values of the lowfrequency. The low values of SD1 and SD2 suggest a reduction of the influence of the parasympathetic nervous system. In probands with atypical neuroleptics only the heart rate is reduced.
In distinguishing between the different sexes a higher activity of the autonomic nervous system is shown, both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, in boys the parasympathetic nervous systems predominates. This is proved by the significant increase of the heart rate. It was shown in the test group as well in the control group.
Reason for the restricted heart rate variability is the disease itself, a somatisation disorder of subconscious emotions or a decreased ability to cope with stress as well as an increased inner tension and fear as consequence of the disease, e.g. delusions. The changed HRV could be assessed as a sign of dysbalance of the autonomic nervous system.