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Functional activity of the brain among elderly women with different autonomic tones in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation
- Authors: Gribanov A.V.1, Shiryaeva T.P.1, Fateeva I.L.2, Fedotov D.M.1,3, Preminina O.S.1, Anoshina T.V.1
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Affiliations:
- Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov
- Novodvinsk Orphanage for Children with Intellectual Disabilities
- Northern State Medical University
- Issue: Vol 30, No 3 (2023)
- Pages: 231-240
- Section: ORIGINAL STUDY ARTICLES
- URL: https://hum-ecol.ru/1728-0869/article/view/312586
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/humeco312586
- ID: 312586
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Abstract
AIM: To identify the distinctive features of brain activity based on the distribution of DC-potential levels among elderly women across different autonomic tones in the Russian Arctic.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 121 60–74 years old women permanently living in Arctic Russia participated in a cross-sectional study. Differences in the indicators of DC-potential levels were measured in three groups of elderly women with different levels of autonomic tone, namely, in vagotonics, normotonics and sympathotonics. Registration of the DC-potential levels of the brain was carried out using a 12-channel “Neuro-KM” diagnostic equipment. The assessment of the autonomic regulation of the heart rate was carried out using the “VNS-spectrum” equipment.
RESULTS: Greater total and average indicators of DC-potential distribution were observed in the sympathotonic group compared with the two other groups. For all monopolar leads, a clear trend towards an increase in neuroenergometabolism of the brain in elderly women with predominant activity of the sympathetic part of the ANS was observed. The dome-shaped principle was violated in both sympathotonics and vagotonics. In the group of normotonics and vagotonics, the leading factors were the functional activity of the central and frontal regions of the brain, while in the group of sympathotonics, the greatest proportion was determined by the factors regulating brain activity of the right temporal and frontal regions.
CONCLUSION: The study of the functional activity of the brain in elderly women with different autonomic tones demonstrates the presence of specific changes in the distribution of values of the constant potential level, which may indicate some change in the mechanisms characterizing the state of cerebral energy exchange. The most pronounced changes were observed in women with the sympathotonic type of ANS, which may characterize the processes of incomplete adaptation.
Full Text
Introduction. The tone of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is one of the manifestations and at the same time mechanisms for stabilizing the homeostatic state of a person [1]. In many studies, it is noted that the main functional purpose of ANS is the possibility of preserving the parameters of various body systems within the framework of homeostatic indicators [2, 3]. Thus, the ANS affects the constancy of the internal environment, participates in maintaining a certain level of mental and physical activity [4], has a significant impact on the adaptive capabilities and adaptive reactions of the body as a whole [5].
It is known that the role of the ANS in the aging process of the human body is increasing [6]. This area of research is especially relevant in the field of studying the mechanisms of human aging, since gerontologists see a change in homeostasis as an important involutive physiological sign [7, 8].
The control centers of the ANS are located in the central and peripheral parts of the human nervous system, and the autonomy of many body systems depends on their joint work, including the regulation of the tone of the walls of the vessels of the circulatory system of the brain [9]. However, there are currently a small number of papers devoted to the interaction of brain activity and vegetative tone in elderly people living in the Russian Arctic. This study demonstrated the features of the functional activity of the brain with different tone of the ANS, as a modulating and coordinating center for all physiological adaptation processes occurring in the body of an aging person [7].
The aim of the study is to establish the characteristic features of brain activity according to the distribution of the level of constant potential in elderly women with different levels of vegetative tone living in the Russian Arctic.
Material and methods of research. 121 women aged 60-74 years (average age 68.6±2.2 years) living in the territory of the Russian Arctic took part in a cross-sectional simultaneous study. The study was carried out with the informed consent of the participants. When forming the research sample, subjects who had a history of the following health disorders were excluded: myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, cerebral circulatory disorders, traumatic brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases.
The study of brain activity according to the SCP data was carried out using a 12-channel hardware-software diagnostic complex "Neuro-KM" [8, 9, 10]. Registration of the SCP was conducted monopolarly, the electrodes were located on the head according to the international 10-20 system. The reference electrode was located on the wrist of the left hand.
Vegetative tone was determined using the hardware and software complex "VNS-spectrum". The study participants with a stress index value (IN) less than 50 cu were considered as vagotonics (1) (n=36, average age 68.7 ±2.1 years), IN from 50 to 200 CU – normotonics (2) (n=42, average age 68.8±2.3 years), IN more than 200 cu – sympathotonics (n=43, average age 68.5±2.3 years) [11, 12, 13]. The groups we compared did not have statistically significant differences in calendar age.
The SPSS 26.0 for Windows application software package was used for statistical processing of the data obtained. The normality of the distribution of traits in the groups was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk criterion. The Kraskel-Wallis criterion was used to identify differences between the compared groups in terms of qualitative indicators. The median (Me) and the range of values from the 1st (Q1) to the 3rd quartile (Q3) were used for descriptive statistics of features. The critical level of significance when testing statistical hypotheses in the study was taken at p<0.017. To construct factor models of the indicators of the SCP of the brain in women of the studied groups, a factor analysis was carried out using orthogonal rotation using the Varimax method, the lower limit of the significance coefficient for variables was assumed to be 0.6.
Results. In the course of the study, statistically significant differences were revealed between the indicators of SCP in the groups of normotonics and sympathotonics, as well as sympathotonics and vagotonics. In turn, there were no significant differences between the studied indicators in the normotonic and vagotonic groups, both for individual leads and for total and average values (Table 1).
Table. 1. The level of constant brain potential of elderly women with different vegetative tone mV (Me (Q1-Q3)).
Leads | 1 группа (sympathotonics) (n=43) | 2 группа (normotonics) (n=42) | 3 группа (vagotonics) (n=36) | P | P1-2 | P2-3 | P1-3 |
Fpz | 11,38(4,36-16,84) | 10,67(6,17-17,9) | 9,90(6,19-16,08) | ,795 |
|
|
|
Fd | 13,57(8,47-22,98) | 8,72(4,60-14,75) | 6,84(5,17-12,12) | ,002 | ,003 | ,499 | ,002 |
Fs | 15,98(8,94-22,83) | 10,12(4,36-13,51) | 7,21(3,67-20,27) | ,002 | ,001 | ,916 | ,007 |
Cd | 18,22(14,81-23,17) | 16,48(9,92-21,12) | 14,93(9,44-22,88) | ,173 |
|
|
|
Cz | 19,23(16,18-24,99) | 15,55(10,79-22,05) | 16,90(11,66-24,63) | ,109 |
|
|
|
Cs | 17,55(13,15-22,31) | 15,73(10,14-19,54) | 14,84(8,35-22,12) | ,289 |
|
|
|
Pd | 17,33(11,15-21,24) | 16,50(7,35-19,24) | 14,60(6,96-19,89) | ,163 |
|
|
|
Pz | 17,04(12,27-20,29) | 17,34(11,74-21,42) | 12,22(8,17-20,36) | ,118 |
|
|
|
Ps | 16,89(10,63-21,09) | 16,67(7,77-20,53) | 12,39 ( 5,74-20,73) | ,162 |
|
|
|
Oz | 16,49(11,53-20,89) | 14,43(10,20-18,37) | 12,80 (8,31-18,73) | ,104 |
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|
|
Td | 15,51(10,07-21,83) | 9,00(5,56-11,63) | 11,55(4,77-19,31) | ,001 | ,001 | ,284 | ,057 |
Ts | 16,82(7,48-20,22) | 11,18(5,95-15,33) | 12,66(6,11-18,74) | ,036 | ,009 | ,277 | ,197 |
Sum | 205,77(163,50-226,95) | 164,36(128,69-185,09) | 154,68(103,1-208,1) | ,001 | ,001 | ,568 | ,003 |
Xср | 17,12(13,62-18,91) | 13,70(10,64-15,42) | 12,89(8,59-17,33) | ,001 | ,001 | ,568 | ,003 |
Note: Fpz - frontal central lead, Fd - right frontal lead, Fs - left frontal lead; Cz – central lead, Cd - right central lead, Cs - left central lead; Pz - central parietal lead, Pd - right parietal lead, Ps - left parietal lead; Oz - occipital lead; Td is the right temporal lead, Ts is the left temporal lead. Sum-the total values of the SCP for 12 leads; Xsr-the average value of the SCP for 12 leads.
As a result of data analysis, 25.19% higher total (Sum) energy costs of the brain were revealed in women of the sympathotonic group compared with women of the normotonic group, and when comparing groups of sympathotonics and vagotonics, 24.8% higher rates of SCP in the former (p=0.001, p=0.003, respectively). (Fig. 1.)
Fig. 1. Values of SCP in groups of elderly women with different vegetative tone. * - statistically significant differences between groups of sympathotonics and normotonics; + - statistically significant differences between groups of sympathotonics and vagotonics.
The average values of SCP (Csr) of sympathotonics were higher both in comparison with normotonics by 24.96% (p=0.001) and with vagotonics by 24.7% (p = 0.003).
According to all monopolar leads, there was a clear trend towards an increase in neuroenergometabolism of the brain in elderly women with predominant activity of the sympathetic part of the ANS, i.e. in the group of sympathotonics. Significant differences in the frontal and temporal regions were found between the groups of normotonics and sympathotonics in the neuroenergy exchange of the brain by monopolar leads. Thus, in the frontal region, the indicators of the sympathotonic SCP were significantly higher in the right (Fd) and left (Fs) frontal leads by 55.62% and 57.91% (p=0.003; p=0.001, respectively), in the right (Td) and left (Ts) temporal regions, the studied indicators were higher by 72.33% and 50.45% (p=0.001; p=0.009, respectively) compared with the indicators of normotonics.
Significant differences between the groups of sympathotonics and vagotonics were found in the frontal areas in the right (Fd) and left (Fs) leads. Thus, sympathotonics demonstrated 49.6% and 54.9% (p=0.002; p=0.007, respectively) higher studied indicators compared with vagotonics.
In addition, due to the high values of SCP in the temporal regions and low values in the frontal and parietal regions of vagotonics, as well as excessively high values in the frontal and temporal regions of sympathotonics, they have a violation of the normality of the distribution of SCP. This is reflected in the non-compliance with the principle of "doming". The indicators of normotonics most correspond to this principle.
The conducted factor analysis also helped to identify some characteristic features of SCP in the studied groups. Figure 2 shows the obtained results of the distribution of factors in the group of normotonics.
Fig. 2. Distribution of SCP in the group of normotonics.
The conducted factor analysis showed that in the group of normotonic women, factor 1 of the functional activity of the central region of the brain, which makes up 30.37% of the variance, includes indicators Cz-Oz, Cz-Td, Cz-Ts, Cz-Xsr, Td-Xsr, which characterize activity mainly in the central, as well as in the temporal and occipital regions of the brain.
2 factor of functional activity of the frontal area, the specific weight of which was 26.40%, includes indicators Fz-Cz, Fz-Oz, Fz-Td, Fz-Ts, Fz-Xsr, reflecting activity in the frontal and to a lesser extent in the temporal and occipital regions of the brain.
3 factor of functional activity of temporal regions (informativeness 24.03%) combines the indicators Td-Ts, Oz-Ts, Ts-Xsr, Oz-Xsr, and determines energy activity mainly in the temporal regions and to a lesser extent in the occipital region of the brain. The total variance was 80.77%.
Figure 3 shows the results of factor analysis in the group of sympathotonics.
Fig. 3. Distribution of SCP in the group of sympathotonics.
The factor analysis of the parameters of the SCP of the brain revealed that in the group of sympathotonic women, the most significant factor, the informativeness of which was 28.59%, is the factor of functional activity of the right temporal region, combining the indicators Fz-Td, Cz-Td, Td-Ts, Cz-Csr and Td-Csr, reflecting neuroenergetic activity mainly in the right temporal areas, as well as in the frontal and central regions of the brain.
A slightly less significant factor (informativeness 27.26%) is the factor of functional activity of the frontal region, combining the indicators Fz-Ts, Fz- Xsr, Ts- Xsr and characterizing energy activity to a greater extent in the frontal and to a lesser extent in the left temporal regions of the brain.
The specific weight of 3 factors of functional activity of the occipital region was 24.60%. It combines the indicators Fz-Oz, Oz-Td, Oz-Ts, Oz- Xsr, Ts- Xsr, which describe energy activity in the occipital, as well as in the frontal and temporal regions. The total variance was 80.45%.
Figure 4 shows the results of factor analysis in a group of vagotonics.
Fig. 4. Distribution of SCP in the group of vagotonics.
When considering the results of factor analysis of a group of vagotonic women, it was found that the leading factor is the frontal activity factor (informativeness 28.28%), which combined the indicators Fz-Cz, Fz-Oz, Fz-Td, Fz-Ts, Fz-Xsr and Oz-Xsr, which in turn characterize activity to a greater extent in the frontal and to a lesser extent in the occipital, temporal and central regions of the brain.
Behind it is the factor of functional activity of the central region (informativeness 25.71%), combining the indicators Cz-Oz, Cz-Td, Cz-Xsr, Td-Xsr, which determine activity mainly in the central, as well as in the right temporal and occipital regions of the brain.
3 the factor of functional activity of temporal regions, accounting for 24.70% of the variance, combined the indicators Cz-Ts, Oz-Ts, Td-Ts, Ts- Csr, describing the activity of energy exchange mainly in the temporal and to a lesser extent in the central and occipital regions of the brain. The total variance was 78%.
Discussion of the results.
The work of the ANS is carried out under the influence of the central nervous system by the feedback mechanism. Both systems are closely interconnected, and the nerve centers at the level of the brain stem and hemispheres coincide morphologically [15]. Vegetative tone is a multifunctional factor that affects most systems of the human body, including the work of the brain vessels, and SCP, in turn, is considered to be a marker of the intensity of energy consumption in the brain [16].
The indicators of the SCP of the brain of the normotonic group occupy intermediate values relative to the indicators of sympathotonics and vagotonics according to the total, average and monopolar leads of the SCP. The established fact, in our opinion, is explained by the most preserved regulatory function of the ANS relative to the tone of the vascular bed of all areas of the brain, on which the indicators of energy metabolism largely depend.
A significant increase in SCP in the frontal, central and temporal regions in the sympathotonic group compared to the normotonic group may indicate a friendly activation of the three structural blocks of the brain (A.R. Luria's theory of functional blocks), which in the long term increases the risk of depletion of the energy resources of the brain and may lead to psychophysiological disadaptation [17, 18]. An increase in SCP indicators in the frontal regions in the sympathotonic group relative to the vagotonic group probably characterizes an increase in the control function of the frontal regions of the brain of elderly women with sympathotonia [19, 20].
With the help of factor analysis, data were obtained on the localization of the predominant brain activity in elderly women, as well as on the redistribution of the structure and specific weight of factors in various types of vegetative tone.
The factor structures compiled during the study demonstrate the difference in energy processes in the cerebral cortex in sympathotonics, normotonics and vagotonics.
In the group of normotonics and vagotonics, the leading factors are the functional activity factors of the central and frontal regions (factors 1 and 2) of the brain. In our opinion, such results determine the friendly and balanced work of the ascending and descending pathways of afferent and efferent interaction in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system.
In the group of sympathotonics, the greatest proportion is determined by the factors that determine the brain activity of the right temporal and frontal regions (factor 1 and 2), which characterizes the activation of the controlling function of the descending pathways going from the temporal and frontal divisions to the subcortical formations of the brain stem, which exert an effector effect on various body systems, and also participate in maintaining homeostasis. It can be assumed that this is due to the strain of adaptive mechanisms in the work of the brain aimed at normalization and preservation of homeostasis of vegetative regulation.
Conclusion. Thus, the study of the functional activity of the brain in elderly women with different vegetative tone showed the presence of specific changes in the distribution of the values of SCP. It has been established that the increase in SCP indicators is more characteristic of sympathotonics, which indicates an increase in functional tension in the brain and a decrease in its energy resource, which in turn can negatively affect the adaptive capabilities of the whole organism as a whole [21]. Significant differences were also found in the neuroenergy exchange of the brain in individual leads between groups of sympathotonics and normotonics in the frontal, central and temporal regions, and between sympathotonics and vagotonics – in the frontal areas in the right and left leads.
About the authors
Anatoliy V. Gribanov
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov
Author for correspondence.
Email: a.gribanov@narfu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4714-6408
SPIN-code: 2788-8167
MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), professor
Russian Federation, ArkhangelskTaisiia P. Shiryaeva
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov
Email: t.shiryaeva@narfu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9458-3224
SPIN-code: 6330-0832
Cand. Sci. (Biol.), associate professor
Russian Federation, ArkhangelskIrina L. Fateeva
Novodvinsk Orphanage for Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Email: irana1307@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4506-5871
SPIN-code: 1934-8901
MD, defectologist
Russian Federation, NovodvinskDenis M. Fedotov
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov; Northern State Medical University
Email: doctorpro@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4067-8364
SPIN-code: 1209-7657
MD, Cand. Sci. (Med.), associate professor
Russian Federation, Arkhangelsk; ArkhangelskOksana S. Preminina
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov
Email: o.preminina@narfu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9664-8773
SPIN-code: 4975-5736
Cand. Sci. (Biol.), associate professor
Russian Federation, ArkhangelskTatiana V. Anoshina
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov
Email: t.anoshina@narfu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4882-7512
SPIN-code: 8580-6240
associate professor
Russian Federation, ArkhangelskReferences
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