Central Neural Mechanisms in the Cardiovascular Effects of Ethanol

Kunos, George; Varga, K; Zakhari, Samir

doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-9184-5_11

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 78 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although past research indicates that moderate alcohol intake increases HRV in an older cohort (Masters et al, 2004), a biological mechanism for this phenomenon and the implications for improved health and well-being have not been offered. Ethanol has no direct impact on the sinoatrial node, the heart's pacemaker (James & Bear, 1967); however, it does impact on central structures including prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and brainstem (Kong, Zheng, Lian, & Zhang, 2012;Kunos, Varga, & Zakhari, 1992;Sripada, Angstadt, McNamara, King, & Phan, 2011), key structures involved in cognitive, affective, and autonomic regulation (Thayer, Hansen, Saus-Rose, & Johnsen, 2009). Therefore, rather than alcohol having a direct impact on the cardiovascular system, changes in HRV may occur as a downstream consequence of the effects of moderate alcohol intake on central structures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moderate alcohol intake is related to increased heart rate variability in young adults: Implications for health and well‐being

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Epidemiological literature indicates that the relationship between alcohol consumption and health outcomes reflects a J-shaped curve such that moderate alcohol consumption confers a protective effect in comparison to abstinence, while heavy consumption is associated with poorer health. While heart rate variability (HRV) may underpin the relationship between drinking and poor health in heavy drinkers, it is unclear whether HRV is increased in moderate, habitual drinkers relative to nonhabitual drinkers. HRV and drinking habits were assessed in 47 volunteers. Results supported hypotheses suggesting that moderate, habitual drinking increases HRV. Although not supported by a significant interaction between drinking group and sex, planned follow-up analysis also revealed that these findings may be specific to males. Regardless, results highlight HRV as a candidate mechanism for the findings reported in the epidemiological literature.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moderate alcohol intake is related to increased heart rate variability in young adults: Implications for health and well‐being

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Centrally, alcohol ingestion influences GABA‐mediated cardiovascular control mechanisms in the brainstem (Varga and Kunos, ). Direct injections of ethanol into brainstem regions including nucleus tractus solitarius and the dorsal vagal nucleus in animals impede bradycardia mediated via the baroreflex (Kunos et al., ) leading to downstream effects on parasympathetic input to the sinoatrial node. This is consistent with research from Reed and colleagues () that found alcohol administration blocks bradycardia and decreases HRV in the respiratory frequency band in humans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Meta‐Analysis on the Impact of Alcohol Dependence on Short‐Term Resting‐State Heart Rate Variability: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk

Quintana

McGregor

Guastella

et al. 2012

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

A Theoretical Model of the Role of Brain Stem Nuclei in Alcohol-Mediated Arrhythmogenesis in Older Adults

Masters

Stevenson²

2003

Biological Research For Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Uncertainty about the mechanism of alcohol-mediated arrhythmogenesis and the effect of alcohol use on arrhythmic risk among older adults is an increasing concern in light of population aging and recent reports that moderate alcohol consumption may protect older adults against coronary artery disease. In this review, a theoretical model of the role of brain stem nuclei in alcohol-mediated arrhythmogenesis in older adults is developed. The model is based on the hypothesis that the effects of alcohol on central autonomic pathways of cardiac control may alter the threshold for alcohol-mediated arrhythmogenesis among older adults. Findings from multiple lines of research including cellular, electrophysiological, epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies in human, animal, and in vitro models were synthesized in developing the model. Suggestions for future research on the topic of alcohol-mediated arrhythmogenesis in older adults are offered.

show abstract

Central Neural Mechanisms in the Cardiovascular Effects of Ethanol

Cited by 3 publications

References 78 publications

Moderate alcohol intake is related to increased heart rate variability in young adults: Implications for health and well‐being

Moderate alcohol intake is related to increased heart rate variability in young adults: Implications for health and well‐being

A Meta‐Analysis on the Impact of Alcohol Dependence on Short‐Term Resting‐State Heart Rate Variability: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk

A Theoretical Model of the Role of Brain Stem Nuclei in Alcohol-Mediated Arrhythmogenesis in Older Adults

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About