About this Research Topic
During the last years, research has focused on the connection between the cardiovascular system and brain, especially in the development of cerebrovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Vascular disorders are harmful for both heart and brain and high blood pressure is a risk factor for many diseases, including diseases of the heart and brain. It is the most important risk factor for stroke, and both high and low blood pressure have been related to dementia. In addition, blood pressure is related to cerebral blood flow, which is critical for brain health. There are also large sex differences regarding blood pressure, hormones, cardio and cerebral vascular disorders, dementia, and cognition in the aging process. However, our knowledge in this field is rudimentary. Depression and heart problems are connected, both with regard to the prognosis and survival. It is well-known that people can die from the broken heart syndrome often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. When the heart is involved, the brain will also be affected, and stressful events react on both the heart and the brain. Consequently, life-style interventions may have beneficial effect on the diseases of the cardiovascular system and brain.
We need to know more about how the heart and the brain are connected, and why cognition, emotions, and the development of dementia may result from cardiovascular disorders. We also need to know more about how the brain may influence the heart, especially in old age. However, it is also of interest to include younger age groups.
In this Research Topic, we wish to improve insights into the possible psychological, social, and biological factors involved in the heart-brain interaction in sickness and health especially in regard to dementia and aging.
Various research methods are needed to understand this complex interaction. Studies employing a broad range of design and research methods including biology of the heart and brain, neuro- and heart imaging, neuro and heart physiological methods, neuropsychology, behavioral tasks, and bio-signal interfaces will help us to achieve our aims. We hope to find valid pieces of evidence for designing treatment programs, social support systems, or verifying biological markers to help sufferers from diseases with a heart-brain interaction through the results of this Research Topic.
Original research or review articles are appropriate to reach the purposes of this Research Topic. We welcome a wide range of submissions.
We need to know more about how the heart and the brain are connected, and why cognition, emotions, and the development of dementia may result from cardiovascular disorders. We also need to know more about how the brain may influence the heart, especially in old age. However, it is also of interest to include younger age groups.
In this Research Topic, we wish to improve insights into the possible psychological, social, and biological factors involved in the heart-brain interaction in sickness and health especially in regard to dementia and aging.
Various research methods are needed to understand this complex interaction. Studies employing a broad range of design and research methods including biology of the heart and brain, neuro- and heart imaging, neuro and heart physiological methods, neuropsychology, behavioral tasks, and bio-signal interfaces will help us to achieve our aims. We hope to find valid pieces of evidence for designing treatment programs, social support systems, or verifying biological markers to help sufferers from diseases with a heart-brain interaction through the results of this Research Topic.
Original research or review articles are appropriate to reach the purposes of this Research Topic. We welcome a wide range of submissions.
Keywords: Heart, brain, interaction, emotions, cognition, dementia
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
