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Summary:Purpose: Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability have been found in prior studies performed during the intracarotid sodium amobarbital (ISA) test. However, these results are not entirely consistent with current models of differential cerebral involvement in the modulation of the heart. This study was designed to re-investigate this topic with a larger N than has heretofore been used.Methods: The electrocardiogram was recorded during left and right ISAs in 73 subjects. Raw heart rate and heart rate variability were calculated.Results: Raw heart rate increased during inactivation of either hemisphere, but more so for the right hemisphere. Heart rate variability changes consistent with decreasing parasympathetic tone also were found to occur during either ISA, but to a significant degree, only during right ISA. Conclusions:The right hemisphere appears to have a greater role in cerebral regulation of cardiac function, perhaps by virtue of the modification of parasympathetic effects.

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) are frequently used in assessing dementia. Though sex differences in verbal learning and memory have been reported, normative data for the elderly often do not separate males and females. No studies provide normative data for both the RAVLT and the BVMT-R in the same elderly sample. Finally, normative data for those over age 79 are unavailable for the BVMT-R. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate sex differences on these two tests, provide normative data in 172 healthy volunteers between the ages of 60 and 89 (inclusive), and extend the age range of BVMT-R normative data. Females consistently outperformed males. However, only performance on the RAVLT warranted separation of normative data by sex. Age and sex differences as well as usage of these normative data in a clinical setting are discussed.

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