Background and Aim: Menopause marks to a point in time that follows after the permanent stoppage of menstruation. Menopausal transition includes various autonomic dysfunctions. Age is known to affect autonomic function. Therefore, in the present study the effect of menopause on autonomic function has been assessed by comparing the heart rate variability parameters between early postmenopausal and late premenopausal women. Methods: Premenopausal and postmenopausal women of age group between 40-55 years were recruited and short term HRV was measured using BIOPAC and analysed with kubios software. Results: In postmenopausal women, HFnu was significantly reduced, LFnu, LF: HF ratio were significantly increased and among the time domain parameters, RMSSD was significantly reduced in postmenopausal women. Conclusion: Sympathovagal imbalance in the form of increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity was found in early postmenopausal women. There was considerable decrease in vagal indices in postmenopausal women which is known to increase cardiovascular risks.

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Menopause is a Greek word meaning, 'meno'-month, 'pause'-ceases. Menopausal transition includes autonomic dysfunctions like somatic symptoms, vasomotor symptoms and mental disturbances such as mood changes, depression, irritability, forgetfulness and lack of concentration that decreases the quality of life. These climacteric vasomotor symptoms are due to alteration of autonomic hemodynamic regulation. Recently, there developed a concept of increased cardiovascular risk and mortality in individuals with sympathovagal imbalance. Sympathovagal imbalance has been observed in postmenopausal women. Cardiovascular risk has been shown to be associated with cognitive decline in elderly postmenopausal women. Sympathovagal imbalance with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity could be linked to cognitive decline after menopause in women.

Introduction: Assessment of skeletal muscle function (SMF) is of clinical relevance in the prediction of treatment outcome and to decide on optimal management of head & neck cancer (HNC) patients. Handgrip strength (HGS) & handgrip endurance (HGE) are considered as surrogate marker for whole-body skeletal muscle function. Further, SMF depends substantially on the body composition (BC). Hence in this study, we compared BC, HGS and HGE between HNC patients and healthy controls and also analysed the association of HGS, HGE with body composition in HNC patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted in 44 subjects in the age between 18 to 60 years. Twenty-two were histologically proven HNC patients prior to cancer-specific treatment and twenty-two age and gender-matched healthy volunteers. The parameters recorded were Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, HGS, HGE and BC. Hand-held dynamometer was used to measure HGS and HGE measured using a stopwatch. BC was estimated by whole-body bioelectrical Impedance analysis method using Bodystat Quad scan 4000 device. Result: Comparison of data between HNC patient & healthy control was done by Student's t test. HGS, HGE, lean body mass (LBM), fat-free mass index (FFMI), Phase angle (PA), body cell mass (BCM) and body cell mass index (BCMI) were found to be reduced significantly in HNC patients when compared to healthy subjects. Further, Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation of HGS & HGE with LBM, FFMI, PA, BCM & BCMI, whereas body fat mass index showed a negative correlation with HGS & HGE in HNC patients. Conclusion: Our findings revealed, a significant reduction in HGS, HGE in patient with HNC which denotes decreased skeletal muscle function and it is linearly associated with low muscle mass, body cell mass and phase angle.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a clinical entity of concern in women of reproductive age group with its onset during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle that typically resolves within a few days after the onset of menstruation. Female reproductive hormones stimulate the gene promotor region of Gonadal steroids, which are modulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, in association with the autonomic nervous system (ANS), form the stress system, which regulates the homeostatic mechanisms of the body. Disruption of this mechanism can lead to sympathovagal imbalance and cognitive deficits. Objectives: This study was aimed to compare the autonomic functions and cognition between PMS and control group. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted as a pilot study with 20 subjects in each group. Autonomic function test and P300 were recorded. Study participants were also asked to answer Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) questionnaire. Results: On comparison of the test results between the two groups, individuals in PMS group were found to have increased sympathetic activity and reduced cognition when compared to the no PMS (control) group. Conclusion: The findings from this study proves a detrimental effect of gonadal steroids on autonomic nervous system and cognition.