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Summary: Takotsubo syndrome, a sudden form of acute heart failure often caused by emotional or physical stress, is associated with changes in brain regions associated with emotions and emotional processing.
Source: University of Aberdeen
According to a University of Aberdeen study, changes in areas of the brain associated with emotions have been identified in people with Takotsubo syndrome, sometimes known as broken heart syndrome.
The study, presented at the British Cardiovascular Society’s centenary conference in Manchester, also detected changes in the level of brain activity in areas known to control heartbeat.
Takotsubo syndrome is a sudden form of acute heart failure estimated to affect up to 5,000 people in the UK each year, occurring primarily in postmenopausal women. It can cause the same symptoms as a heart attack, and although the arteries leading to the heart are not blocked, the risk of complications is similar to that of a real heart attack.
It is not yet fully understood what causes Takotsubo syndrome, but it is usually caused by emotional or physical stress such as the loss of a loved one, hence it is also known as broken heart syndrome.
dr Hilal Khan, Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen, said: “For years we have known that there is a connection between the brain and heart, but the role it plays in Takotsubo has been a mystery. For the first time we have discovered changes in the brain regions responsible for controlling the heart and emotions. More research is needed to determine if these changes cause Takotsubo syndrome.
“We hope that with more research we can determine which treatments are most effective. We already hope to study the effects of cardiac rehabilitation and psychotherapy on post-Takotsubo brain structure and function with the ultimate goal of improving the care of these patients.”
In the most detailed study of its kind, scientists examined the brains of 25 patients who had suffered an episode of takotsubo in the previous five days. They used brain MRI scans to measure brain volume, surface area, and signals of communication between different areas of the brain. They then compared these results to control patients who were matched for age, gender and other medical conditions.
They found that there were decreased connections in the thalamus, amygdala, insula and basal ganglia in Takotsubo patients compared to healthy people. These are areas of the brain involved in regulating higher functions such as emotions, thinking, language, stress response, and controlling the heart.
The researchers also found that the thalamic and insula areas of the brain were enlarged, while total brain volume including the amygdala and brainstem was smaller compared to healthy people.
The team now plans to do more brain MRI scans on the same patients to follow Takotsubo’s natural history in the brain. They are also in the process of scanning the brains of heart attack patients in hopes of determining whether Takotsubo syndrome causes changes in the brain or if the changes cause Takotsubo syndrome.
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Professor James Leiper, Deputy Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation said: “Takotsubo syndrome is a sudden and potentially catastrophic heart condition that has only been recognized in recent years. Our understanding of the disease is still in its infancy and it is important that we learn more about this neglected area of cardiology.
“This research is a significant advance in our understanding of how the brain and heart are intimately connected in this enigmatic condition and how an emotional event can lead to heart failure.”
Carol Duncan, 73, from Aberdeen, is included in the study as she suffered an episode of takotsubo after her brother fell ill and was admitted to intensive care. She said, “Since Takotsubo can be triggered by an emotional event, there’s a misconception that it’s just in your head. Knowing that researchers have seen measurable changes in my scans makes me feel like we’re getting closer to where Takotsubo is considered a physical condition.
“I am very pleased to have participated in this study. It really gives me hope that scientists are moving towards a full understanding and better treatment of this misunderstood condition.”
About this news from cardiovascular health and emotion research
Author: press office
Source: University of Aberdeen
Contact: Press Office – University of Aberdeen
Picture: The image is in the public domain
Original research: The results will be presented at the British Cardiovascular Society meeting
