Key brain areas triggered in survivors of recent heart attacks

TUESDAY, May 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) – People who have recently had a heart attack show increased activity in the area of ​​the brain involved in stress and emotions. And this is associated with elevated inflammation in the arteries, according to a small preliminary study.

“The results of this study advance our understanding of the interconnections between the brain, bone marrow and blood vessels,” said study lead author Dr. Dong Oh Kang, a clinical instructor at the Guro Hospital Cardiovascular Center in the Korea University in Seoul.

The study included 45 people, with an average age of 60, who suffered a heart attack in the last 45 days. They were compared to a “control” group of 17 people of similar age with no history of heart attack. Both groups completed questionnaires on depression and stress. They also underwent PET and CT scans to create three-dimensional images of the brain, major arteries, and bone marrow.

Compared to the control group, those who had a recent heart attack had significantly greater activity in the amygdala, the region of the brain responsible for perception of stress and emotional response. They also increased inflammation in the aorta and carotid artery (neck), which supplies blood to the brain, and increased activity of the bone marrow, indicating the active production of inflammatory cells. That suggests a buildup of plaque that can lead to a heart attack, the researchers explained.

In both groups, the researchers found that people with higher levels of depression and stress showed more activity in the amygdala.

However, after six months, inflammation of the amygdala and artery had returned to near normal in the 10 heart attack patients who underwent follow-up exams, according to the study.

The findings are slated for presentation at an American Heart Association (AHA) meeting to be held virtually May 5-7.

“The activity of the amygdala has previously been reported to be stable over time. However, the changes observed in our study suggest the possibility that stress reduction techniques may decrease emotional activity in the brain and potentially reduce inflammation in the brain. arteries and inflammatory cell production, “Kang said in an AHA news release. This could potentially modify the course of heart disease, the researcher noted.

“This could become an additional strategy to prevent a second heart attack,” said Kang.

The data and conclusions presented at the meetings are generally considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

More information

The US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. USA It has more information about the heart attack.