An open-source program to analyze spontaneous sympathetic neurohemodynamic transduction.

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• The sympathetic nervous system is crucial for regulating arterial blood pressure and organ blood flow.
• Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is measured via microneurography globally.
• Analyzing MSNA's hemodynamic and vascular effects offers insights into sympathetic neural control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an open-source, user-friendly analysis program for MSNA-elicited responses.
• To overcome barriers associated with existing in-house or costly analysis software.
• To facilitate research on sympathetic neural control in human health and disease.

Main Methods:

• Development of a Microsoft Excel-based analysis program.
• Inclusion of an Excel template with embedded formulas.
• Provision of detailed written and video instructions for user guidance.

Main Results:

• The program analyzes pressor and vascular responses to spontaneous MSNA bursts.
• It accommodates analysis of continuous MSNA burst sequences.
• It allows examination of responses following non-MSNA-associated heartbeats.

Conclusions:

• The open-source Excel program democratizes the analysis of sympathetic neurohemodynamic transduction.
• It empowers researchers lacking advanced programming skills or financial resources.
• Facilitates broader investigation into sympathetic neural control mechanisms.