Multivariate Approach to the Numerical Assessment of Cortical - Autonomic - VAscular Dynamic Interplay

Conditions studied

Cardiac Disease, Depression

About this study

MANCAVA sets out fundamental methodologies for characterizing human fundamental physiological system interactions at a whole-body level, particularly focusing on the interplay among cortical brain activity, autonomic function, and cerebrovascular autoregulatory mechanisms. By investigating the complex, time-varying mechanisms underlying the multisystem dynamic interactions, novel methods linking various brain areas and reflex functions to target organs and districts such as heart and circulatory system are proposed with the clinical aim linked to the emerging topic of depression. In this scenario, proper new mathematical tools will allow a significant leap from the current state of the art, paving the way towards a new understanding of leading comorbid contributors to global diseases such as cardiac and cerebrovascular morbidity in mood disorders. In turn, this will provide an integration among physiological and psychological dimensions for a more holistic view on depression. Researchers, professionals, and patients will all benefit from a comprehensive assessment of brain-mind-body interplay, leading to the new extended definition of default mode/mood network, neurovascular-evoked responses to autonomic stimuli, brain-autonomic consequences of emotional responses, and physiological substrates of depressive states.

Interventions

• Procedure: Major Cardiac surgery — From a clinical perspective, MANCAVA will especially target neuro-cardiovascular health and mood disorders such as depression

Primary outcomes

• Autoregulation index (ARI) (24 months)
• number of patients developing depression (24 months)
• Baroreflex sensitivity (24 months)
• Cortical activity (24 months)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan 20097 Italy