Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.3
3.2
Journals
Life
Special Issues
Brain-Heart Axis: Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cardiovascular Disorders and...
share announcement

Brain-Heart Axis: Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cardiovascular Disorders and Mental Health

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (23 April 2024) | Viewed by 6069

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giuseppe Marano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Unit of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
2. Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: mental health; women's health; clinical trials; bipolar disorder; mood disorders translation science; cardiovascular disorders; neurobiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marianna Mazza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Unit of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
2. Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: mood; anxiety; psychotic and personality disorders; cardiovascular disorders; clinical psychopharmacology; psychiatric emergencies; pregnancy; femicide; interpersonal violence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cellular, molecular, metabolic, and genetic aspects in cardiovascular disorders are intimately interconnected and open new pathophysiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic perspectives.

The link between mind and heart is characterized by a continuous and bidirectional exchange: a two-way communication on which the heart–brain axis is based. These are interconnected and interdependent entities, evident from the fact that pathological factors and conditions that affect one of these components can also affect the other.

The aim of this Special Issue is to stimulate knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which psychological factors, brain suffering and/or damage, epigenetic alterations, and gene mutations are associated with cardiovascular risk factors, predisposing patients to cardiovascular events. Furthermore, this multidisciplinary orientation could allow for more effective management of the clinical course of cardiovascular disease through a personalized therapeutic approach with a consequent reduction in terms of national health cost.

Dr. Giuseppe Marano
Dr. Marianna Mazza
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • brain–heart axis
  • molecular mechanisms
  • cardiovascular disorders
  • psychological factors

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

12 pages, 795 KiB  
Article
Psychological Distress Affects Performance during Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation
by Marta Ricci, Gino Pozzi, Naike Caraglia, Daniela P. R. Chieffo, Daniela Polese and Leonarda Galiuto
Life 2024, 14(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14020236 - 8 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1865
Abstract
Background: It is known that psychosocial distress affects the morbidity and mortality of patients with cardiovascular disease of every age. The aim of this study was to produce novel information on how psychological distress can influence cardiovascular performance in patients after cardiac surgery [...] Read more.
Background: It is known that psychosocial distress affects the morbidity and mortality of patients with cardiovascular disease of every age. The aim of this study was to produce novel information on how psychological distress can influence cardiovascular performance in patients after cardiac surgery undergoing multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation. Methods: Patients (n = 57) admitted after cardiac surgery for valvular or coronary disease underwent, within 5 days of admission, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) self-report questionnaire to measure psychiatric symptoms and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to assess the level of psychological distress. The Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI) was measured to indicate the amplitude of symptom distress. Cardiovascular performance was assessed by a 6 min walking test (6MWT) at admission and discharge, and oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was derived. Results: Within the SCL-90-R score, somatic symptoms (47.4%), depressive and anxiety symptoms (36.8% and 33.3%, respectively), symptoms of phobic anxiety (21.1%), and psychoticism (24.6%) were over-represented. As for the GHQ-12, 75.4% of the sample reported an abnormally negative perception of their health status. An inverse correlation was shown between the variation in 6MWT and SCL depression (p = 0.048), PSDI (p = 0.022), and the GHQ-12 (p = 0.040). Similarly, an inverse correlation was shown between the variation in the VO2 max, GHQ-12 (p = 0.041), and the PSDI (p = 0.023). Conclusions: Post-cardiac surgery cardiac rehabilitation was associated with increased symptoms of psychological discomfort, as compared with the general population. The amplitude of psychological distress, depression, and hostility are associated with limited improvement in performance. These data strengthen the need for psychological support during cardiac rehabilitation programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain-Heart Axis: Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cardiovascular Disorders and Mental Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

26 pages, 710 KiB  
Review
The Brain–Heart Axis: An Umbrella Review on Impact of Psychiatric Disease on Incidence, Management, and Outlook of Cardiovascular Disease
by Marianna Mazza, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Francesco Maria Lisci, Caterina Brisi, Greta Sfratta, Sara Rossi, Gianandrea Traversi, Eleonora Gaetani, Roberto Pola, Sofia Morini, Enrico Romagnoli, Benedetta Simeoni, Marcello Covino and Giuseppe Marano
Life 2024, 14(8), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14080919 - 23 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1423
Abstract
Psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, are increasingly recognized as significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review systematically analyzes evidence from various databases to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of psychiatric illnesses on the incidence, [...] Read more.
Psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, are increasingly recognized as significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review systematically analyzes evidence from various databases to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of psychiatric illnesses on the incidence, management, and prognosis of CVD. Key findings suggest a bidirectional relationship between psychiatric disorders and CVD, indicating that mental health conditions can predispose individuals to CVD, while CVD can exacerbate or trigger psychiatric symptoms. The review explores the underlying mechanisms of these associations, including behavioral factors, stress responses, and medication side effects. It also examines the challenges in managing CVD patients with comorbid psychiatric conditions, emphasizing the importance for integrated care approaches. This review underscores the necessity of considering mental health as an integral component of cardiovascular care and calls for further research to develop tailored management strategies for these complex conditions, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for future investigations and guides clinicians in optimizing care for patients with both psychiatric and cardiovascular conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain-Heart Axis: Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cardiovascular Disorders and Mental Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

16 pages, 481 KiB  
Systematic Review
Brain–Heart Axis: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cardiovascular Disease—A Review of Systematic Reviews
by Massimo Fioranelli, Maria Luisa Garo, Maria Grazia Roccia, Bianca Prizbelek and Francesca Romana Sconci
Life 2023, 13(12), 2252; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13122252 - 25 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2248
Abstract
Background: The brain–heart axis is an intra- and bidirectional complex that links central nervous system dysfunction and cardiac dysfunction. In recent decades, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a strategic molecule involved in both brain and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This systematic review [...] Read more.
Background: The brain–heart axis is an intra- and bidirectional complex that links central nervous system dysfunction and cardiac dysfunction. In recent decades, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a strategic molecule involved in both brain and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This systematic review of systematic reviews aimed to (1) identify and summarize the evidence for the BDNF genotype and BDNF concentration in CVD risk assessment, (2) evaluate the evidence for the use of BDNF as a biomarker of CVD recovery, and (3) evaluate rehabilitation approaches that can restore BDNF concentration. Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was developed using PRISMA. The risk of bias was assessed via ROBIS. Results: Seven studies were identified, most of which aimed to evaluate the role of BDNF in stroke patients. Only two systematic reviews examined the association of BDNF concentration and polymorphism in CVDs other than stroke. Conclusions: The overall evidence showed that BDNF plays a fundamental role in assessing the risk of CVD occurrence, because lower BDNF concentrations and rs6265 polymorphism are often associated with CVD. Nevertheless, much work remains to be carried out in current research to investigate how BDNF is modulated in different cardiovascular diseases and in different populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain-Heart Axis: Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cardiovascular Disorders and Mental Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop