The Relationship between Cognitive Reactivity and Pulse Transit Time, with the added effect of induced Rumination.: A study into the bidirectional ef ect of the brain and heart.

Depression and Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are both in the top leading causes of death, disability and productivity loss in the world and this is only projected to get worse. As the urgence of prevention is clear, research shows this could possibly be done simultaneously as there is a bidirectional effect between the two. One of the most recent explanations is that of an overactive HPA-axis and its hypersecretion of the hormone cortisol. One way of over-activating the HPA-axis is by ruminating, a common symptom of depression. Objective: This study explores the possibility of identifying the risk of developing depression and CVD early on using Pulse Transit Time (PTT) measurements and the LEIDS-RR. Methods: The participants, 34 women between 18-35 years old, were asked to fill out three questionnaires about depression and describe a negative situation that had happened to them. Weeks later their heart rates were measured in an fMRI where they were asked to ruminate about those...Show moreDepression and Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are both in the top leading causes of death, disability and productivity loss in the world and this is only projected to get worse. As the urgence of prevention is clear, research shows this could possibly be done simultaneously as there is a bidirectional effect between the two. One of the most recent explanations is that of an overactive HPA-axis and its hypersecretion of the hormone cortisol. One way of over-activating the HPA-axis is by ruminating, a common symptom of depression. Objective: This study explores the possibility of identifying the risk of developing depression and CVD early on using Pulse Transit Time (PTT) measurements and the LEIDS-RR. Methods: The participants, 34 women between 18-35 years old, were asked to fill out three questionnaires about depression and describe a negative situation that had happened to them. Weeks later their heart rates were measured in an fMRI where they were asked to ruminate about those negative situations. PTT was conducted using the ECG data. Results: No correlation between the LEIDS-RR scores and PTT during baseline or rumination was found. PTT scores did decrease significantly between baseline (M = 61.64687) and working memory task (M = 60.92451) (p = .048) though this was not in line with hypotheses. LEIDS-RR did not count as a moderator for this time effect. Discussion: A number of limitations may have affected the outcome of this study such as comorbidity, the circadian rhythm of cortisol, the low sample size, the duration of measurement or the vast variation in vehemence of described situations by the participants. Nevertheless, it is important to conduct further research into a possible early prevention of CVD and depression.Show less

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The Relationship between Cognitive Reactivity and Pulse Transit Time, with the added effect of induced Rumination. A study into the bidirectional ef ect of the brain and heart.