Impaired Neurovisceral Integration of Cardiovascular Modulation Contributes to Multiple Sclerosis Morbidities

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex CNS disease with uncertain origins.
• MS presents heterogeneously, encompassing neurodegeneration, depression, fatigue, sleep disorders, migraines, osteoporosis, and hemodynamic issues.
• The root causes of these diverse MS pathologies are largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose that cardiovascular autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation contributes to MS clinical manifestations.
• To investigate the link between neurovisceral integration, cardiovascular modulation, and MS-related morbidities.
• To explore therapeutic strategies targeting ANS balance for MS symptom management.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing research findings on MS and autonomic nervous system function.
• Analysis of evidence linking cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction to inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes in MS.
• Evaluation of the potential of sympathovagal balance interventions.

Main Results:

• Accumulating evidence suggests dysregulated neurovisceral integration of cardiovascular modulation is implicated in MS.
• MS inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes are interconnected with clinical morbidities.
• These interconnected processes appear to be manifestations of cardiovascular autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is proposed as a unifying factor in many MS-related clinical symptoms.
• Strategies aimed at improving sympathovagal balance may prevent and alleviate MS symptoms, enhancing patient quality of life.
• Similar ANS-focused strategies could benefit other autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases involving autonomic imbalance.