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Experimental evidence for phase synchronization transitions in the human cardiorespiratory system
Ronny Bartsch1, Jan W Kantelhardt, Thomas Penzel
1Minerva Center, Department of Physics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel.
Physical Review Letters
|March 16, 2007
Summary
Heartbeat and breathing synchronization increases during non-rapid-eye-movement (non-REM) sleep but decreases during REM sleep. This suggests breathing influences heartbeats, an effect disrupted by brain activity during REM sleep.
Area of Science:
- Complex systems dynamics
- Physiological systems analysis
- Sleep science
Background:
- Transitions in complex systems are often marked by altered component synchronization.
- The human cardiorespiratory system exhibits dynamic interactions influenced by physiological states like sleep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and distribution of synchronization episodes in the cardiorespiratory system during different sleep stages.
- To understand how sleep impacts the phase synchronization between heartbeat and breathing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an automated synchrogram screening procedure.
- Analyzed data from 112 healthy subjects across various sleep conditions.
- Quantified phase synchronization between cardiac and respiratory rhythms.
Main Results:
- Phase synchronization between heartbeat and breathing was significantly enhanced during non-rapid-eye-movement (non-REM) sleep (including deep and light sleep).
- Synchronization was notably reduced during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep.
- The findings indicate a primary influence of the breathing oscillator on the heartbeat oscillator.
Conclusions:
- Cardiorespiratory synchronization patterns differ significantly across sleep stages.
- The observed synchronization dynamics are modulated by the interplay between breathing, heartbeat, and central nervous system activity during sleep.
- Disruptions during REM sleep may be linked to superimposed higher brain region activity and noise.
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