About this Research Topic
The human body houses two vital organs, the brain and the heart, composed of irreplaceable cells - neurons in the brain and cardiomyocytes in the heart. The fragility of these cells underscores the critical nature of these organs; any dysfunction could have fatal consequences. Prolonged exposure to stress and tension is recognized as a contributor to accelerated ageing, impacting both the heart and the brain. Ageing in the heart is linked to compromised function and heightened susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, while ageing in the brain manifests as cognitive decline and an increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Despite their seemingly distinct roles, emerging evidence indicates structural and functional connections between the heart and the brain. Epidemiological studies highlight the bidirectional relationship, revealing that patients with cardiovascular diseases are more prone to developing brain-related conditions, and vice versa. Conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure are associated with an increased risk of stroke, dementia, and cognitive impairment. Conversely, individuals with mental health disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, or depression face an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases.
This Research Topic seeks to deepen our comprehension of the intricate connections between the heart and the brain, presenting opportunities for disease prevention and lifespan extension. Evidence suggests that stress reduction measures can contribute not only to heart disease prevention but also to the protection of brain health. Adopting a multi-organ perspective opens new avenues for mitigating the reciprocal impact of organ diseases, promoting holistic human health.
We invite submissions of Original Research, Reviews, and Mini-reviews, addressing the potential influence of stress and ageing on the following conditions:
● Parkinson’s disease
● Alzheimer's disease
● Coronary heart disease
● Stress cardiomyopathy
● Neurogenic myocardial stunning
● Other relevant conditions
Despite their seemingly distinct roles, emerging evidence indicates structural and functional connections between the heart and the brain. Epidemiological studies highlight the bidirectional relationship, revealing that patients with cardiovascular diseases are more prone to developing brain-related conditions, and vice versa. Conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure are associated with an increased risk of stroke, dementia, and cognitive impairment. Conversely, individuals with mental health disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, or depression face an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases.
This Research Topic seeks to deepen our comprehension of the intricate connections between the heart and the brain, presenting opportunities for disease prevention and lifespan extension. Evidence suggests that stress reduction measures can contribute not only to heart disease prevention but also to the protection of brain health. Adopting a multi-organ perspective opens new avenues for mitigating the reciprocal impact of organ diseases, promoting holistic human health.
We invite submissions of Original Research, Reviews, and Mini-reviews, addressing the potential influence of stress and ageing on the following conditions:
● Parkinson’s disease
● Alzheimer's disease
● Coronary heart disease
● Stress cardiomyopathy
● Neurogenic myocardial stunning
● Other relevant conditions
Keywords: Brain, Heart, Vascular, depression, Stress, Ageing
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.
