neuroanatomy.org, cilt.2009, sa.11, ss.20-25, 2009 (Hakemli Dergi)
Although emotional factors increase the risk of cardiac deaths in patients with coronary artery disease, exact
mechanisms underlying the increased risk has not been identified. The aim of the study was to investigate
the anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in rats after myocardial infarction and the association with the
autonomic control of heart rate. Anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors were assessed during 28-day post
myocardial infarction period. Myocardial infarction was induced surgically by the ligation of left anterior
descending artery. Elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests were chosen for assessment of anxiety and
depression, respectively. Autonomic control of heart rate was evaluated by power spectral analysis of heart
rate variability. Our findings showed that both anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors were seen after
myocardial infarction. However anxiety-like behaviors were seen in the acute period of myocardial infarction,
depression-like behaviors were significant in the late period. Anxiety but not depression was associated with
reduced autonomic control of heart rate after myocardial infarction.
These data lead to the conclusion that emotional factors seem to be involved in the prognostic factors in
coronary artery disease. Adding of antidepressant/anxiolytic therapy to the reperfusion strategies in patients
after myocardial infarction is very important.