Observations on the Autonomic Functions during the Hypoglycaemic Treatment of Schizophrenics

1940 ◽  
Vol 86 (363) ◽  
pp. 645-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Parker

The nature of the action of insulin in producing cure in cases of schizophrenia is still quite obscure. One of the most striking features of insulin hypoglycaemia is the occurrence of phenomena pointing to disturbance of the autonomic nervous system, and many authors on this subject have expressed the belief that insulin produces cure by virtue of its action on the autonomic nervous system. There is, however, extensive contradiction in the literature as to what actually are the changes which take place in autonomic functions during hypoglycaemia. Some authors say that hypoglycaemia produces a generalized sympathetic stimulation, some say a generalized parasympathetic activity and others that there is dissociation of action of the two systems. Sakel (1) appears to believe that hypoglycaemia produces a vagotonia which underlies the curative effects of his treatment; Hadorn (2), that small doses of insulin stimulate the vagus, and large doses cause a primary secretion of adrenaline; Beno (3), that changes on the vegetative system cannot be sufficient to allow a reasonable understanding of the results; Pfister (4), that hypoglycaemia produces beneficial effects in schizophrenia because it damps the sympathetic; Wespi (5), that dissociation appears to prevail in the autonomic regulation; Gellhorn (6), that the treatment is successful because it leads to excitation of the sympathetico-adrenal apparatus through hypoglycaemia of the brain; and lastly, Heilbrunn (7), that his experiments are in favour of a sympatheticotonia.

1926 ◽  
Vol 22 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 730-731
Author(s):  
G. P.

V. Rakhmanov (Zhurn. Neurop. And Psych., 1925, No. 3-4) proposes to inject them with 1% Trypanblau solution in the amount of 1 cubic meter to study the vegetative centers in mice. with. weekly for 6-8 weeks. The brain is fixed in 10% formalin, frozen sections are stained with alum carmine or cochineal. In this case, dark blue dust-like grains appear in the plasma and nuclei of cells - selectively for the cells of the autonomic nervous system.


Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R. Hirsch ◽  
M.C. Tiveron ◽  
F. Guillemot ◽  
J.F. Brunet ◽  
C. Goridis

Mash1, a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila proneural genes of the achaete-scute complex, is transiently expressed throughout the developing peripheral autonomic nervous system and in subsets of cells in the neural tube. In the mouse, targeted mutation of Mash1 has revealed a role in the development of parts of the autonomic nervous system and of olfactory neurons, but no discernible phenotype in the brain has been reported. Here, we show that the adrenergic and noradrenergic centres of the brain are missing in Mash1 mutant embryos, whereas most other brainstem nuclei are preserved. Indeed, the present data together with the previous results show that, except in cranial sensory ganglia, Mash1 function is essential for the development of all central and peripheral neurons that express noradrenergic traits transiently or permanently. In particular, we show that, in the absence of MASH1, these neurons fail to initiate expression of the noradrenaline biosynthetic enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase. We had previously shown that all these neurons normally express the homeodomain transcription factor Phox2a, a positive regulator of the dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene and that a subset of them depend on it for their survival. We now report that expression of Phox2a is abolished or massively altered in the Mash1−/− mutants, both in the noradrenergic centres of the brain and in peripheral autonomic ganglia. These results suggest that MASH1 controls noradrenergic differentiation at least in part by controlling expression of Phox2a and point to fundamental homologies in the genetic circuits that determine the noradrenergic phenotype in the central and peripheral nervous system.


2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (2) ◽  
pp. E234-E243
Author(s):  
Valentine S. Moullé ◽  
Caroline Tremblay ◽  
Anne-Laure Castell ◽  
Kevin Vivot ◽  
Mélanie Ethier ◽  
...  

The pancreatic β-cell responds to changes in the nutrient environment to maintain glucose homeostasis by adapting its function and mass. Nutrients can act directly on the β-cell and also indirectly through the brain via autonomic nerves innervating islets. Despite the importance of the brain-islet axis in insulin secretion, relatively little is known regarding its involvement in β-cell proliferation. We previously demonstrated that prolonged infusions of nutrients in rats provoke a dramatic increase in β-cell proliferation in part because of the direct action of nutrients. Here, we addressed the contribution of the autonomic nervous system. In isolated islets, muscarinic stimulation increased, whereas adrenergic stimulation decreased, glucose-induced β-cell proliferation. Blocking α-adrenergic receptors reversed the effect of epinephrine on glucose + nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA)-induced β-cell proliferation, whereas activation of β-adrenergic receptors was without effect. Infusion of glucose + NEFA toward the brain stimulated β-cell proliferation, and this effect was abrogated following celiac vagotomy. The increase in β-cell proliferation following peripheral infusions of glucose + NEFA was not inhibited by vagotomy or atropine treatment but was blocked by coinfusion of epinephrine. We conclude that β-cell proliferation is stimulated by parasympathetic and inhibited by sympathetic signals. Whereas glucose + NEFA in the brain stimulates β-cell proliferation through the vagus nerve, β-cell proliferation in response to systemic nutrient excess does not involve parasympathetic signals but may be associated with decreased sympathetic tone.


Author(s):  
Kartik Sharma ◽  
Tarun Kumar Bera

The control of cardiovascular system by autonomic nervous system using model-based analysis is very useful to predict blood flow and blood pressure at different locations of human body. The regulation of cardiovascular system by autonomic nervous system is a very complex mechanism, so, an experimental-based model analysis may prove very helpful in studying and analysing its working properly. In this article, a very basic model of cardiovascular system is presented with blood pressure dynamics studied throughout the body. A new bond graph model of the autonomic nervous system embedded with baroreflex system is also presented. Autonomic regulation of ventricular contractility is represented by means of transfer functions. The results in terms of maximum ventricular elastance ([Formula: see text]) and end systolic pressure are shown for two experiments. Another alternative modelling approach to represent the function of nervous system action in blood pressure regulation in terms of an overwhelming controller has been proposed. This controller overwhelms the system properties and therefore helps in managing the unmodelled parts or properties of a system and makes it impeccable for controlling complex systems. All the results and simulations are obtained using Symbols Shakti® software (Bond graph software).


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. D. Korovina ◽  
T. M. Zaporozhets

The purpose of our research was to estimate the brain blood supply level by rheoencephalography method in junior students of the Medical academy and to determine the blood supply links with the autonomic regulation state, behavioural and alimentary factors. Rheo-encephalographic study, research of the autonomic nervous system state, heart rate regulation and questioning of 17–29 year-old students have been conducted. Basic hemodynamic indices were normal in all surveyed students. Increase in body weight index enhanced the probability of the brain blood supply deterioration. Adaptation mechanisms tension was accompanied by reduction of the rheographic index. Higher blood filling of the brain vessels corersponded to higher ratio “blood minute volume / due blood minute volume” defined taking into account the system arterial pressure. The quantity of links with indicators of the autonomic nervous system state was limited. Nonlinear dependence of the rheographic index on the Kerdo vegetative index was observed: the rheographic index value was the lowest in students with the autonomic balance by the Kerdo vegetative index; it was the highest in the group with the sympathetic prevalence. Risk factor of blood filling decrease was the reduction in the diet variety when foodstuffs of different groups were included into the diet less than twice a week, or they were excluded from the diet completely. Positive correlation of blood supply was observed more often with frequent consumption of fish, vegetables, and fresh fruits. Increase in the regular alcohol intake experience promoted decrease in brain blood supply and increase in asymmetries of blood supply indicators. The effect of alcohol was essential, despite young age of surveyed students and low level of alcohol consumption. Increase in the experience and intensity of smoking was accompanied by deterioration of brain blood supply indicators. Students with the best blood supply had the better academic progress. Observed multiple correlations of blood supply indicators with behavioural factors allowed to assert that reduction of risk factors (control of body weight, variety and full value of a diet, refusal of smoking, alcohol restriction even below doses which are considered safe) would allow to improve the brain blood supply.


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