Sympathovagal Imbalance and Cognitive Deficit in Postmenopausal Women: A Mini Review

Abstract

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.

News and Views

“…[4] It is found that there is a decline in heart rate variability in post-menopausal women. [5] Recent study shows that post-menopausal state also offers higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome with an increased level of insulin resistance. [6] This can also be indicated by deranged lipid profile in them, such as higher triglyceride and total cholesterol.…”