Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus
Published on: April 5, 2011
Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in drug naïve hot water epilepsy
A Meghana1, T N Sathyaprabha, S Sinha
1Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Bangalore 560 029, India.
Purpose:
This study aimed to characterize the role of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in hot water epilepsy (HWE). Heart rate variability (HRV) has been established as a good index of cardio-autonomic regulation.
Methodology:
Forty-five patients with HWE (age: 24.6±10.1 years; M:F=37:8) and 45 age and gender matched controls (age: 24.17±10.37 years; M:F=37:8) were studied. Five minutes resting lead II electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained (AD instruments) under standard conditions and analyzed for time and frequency domain HRV parameters using LabChart software.
Result:
Patients with hot water epilepsy showed significant increase in LF nu (Low frequency normalized unit) and LF/HF denoting an interictal increase in sympathetic activity. In addition, reductions were noted in parasympathetic function [RMSSD (root mean square successive difference of RR intervals), HF (High frequency) nu and LF/HF].
Conclusion:
This study has demonstrated an impaired sympatho-vagal balance characterized by increased sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity in patients with HWE. The present study supports the notion that the hypothalamus is involved in both, the pathogenesis of HWE and autonomic regulation.
Related Concept Videos
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a...
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers exert their antiepileptic effects by targeting T-type calcium channels, which are integral to transmitting nerve signals in the central nervous system. These channels allow the passage of calcium ions, which are vital for neuronal communication. By inhibiting T-type calcium channels, calcium channel blockers effectively reduce the release of neurotransmitters and...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

