Use of microneurography to evaluate sympathetic activity in hypertension: A brief review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2000

Publication Title

Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback

Volume

21

Issue

1

First page number:

55

Last page number:

63

Abstract

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is an important variable in the study of autonomic activity in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. It is measured directly from the peroneal nerve using microneurography. The technique is complex and difficult to learn, but yields accurate and direct information about sympathetic nerve impulses. MSNA provides not only greater reproducibility than other measures of sympathetic activity, but also a clearer and more consistent reflection of changes in sympathetic activity caused by changes in the subject's status or disease. This technique has been used primarily in basic research settings studying stress and hypertension. It has much potential to enhance our understanding of sympathetic nervous system activity and its role in applied psychophysiology and biofeedback.

Keywords

Biofeedback; Blood pressure; Hypertension; Peroneal nerve; Psychophysiology; Sympathetic nervous system

Disciplines

Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Cardiology | Cardiovascular System | Nervous System | Neurology | Nursing

Language

English

UNLV article access

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