Heart rate variability and mild cognitive impairment in parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Abstract: Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index of autonomic control of the heart.1 Evidence suggests loss of sympathetic innervation of the heart takes place in early stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is independent of orthostatic hypotension.2,3 Information about the relationship between HRV and mild cognitive impairment in PD (PD-MCI) is scarce.4 We assessed the association between short-term HRV and MCI in participants of a larger observational crosssectional study of fear of falling. The local ethics committee approved the study, and patients provided written informed consent. Patients without dementia with idiopathic PD and stable medication regimen were included, excluding those with cardiac, liver, or kidney diseases and medications (eg, betareceptor blockers) that affect HRV. Patients were examined during ON state.