Nonverbal behaviors are associated with increased vagal activity in major depressive disorder: Implications for the polyvagal theory

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Fernandes, Raquel A. ; Fiquer, Juliana T. ; Gorenstein, Clarice ; Razza, Lais Boralli ; Fraguas, Jr., Renerio ; Borrione, Lucas ; Bensenor, Isabela M. ; Lotufo, Paulo A. ; Dantas, Eduardo Miranda ; Carvalho, Andre F. ; Brunoni, Andre R.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Affective Disorders; v. 209, p. 18-22, FEB 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with impairments in nonverbal behaviors (NVBs) and vagal activity. The polyvagal theory proposes that vagal activity regulates heart rate and NVBs by modulating a common anatomically and neurophysiologically discrete social engagement system. However, the association between these putative endophenotypes has not yet been explored. We hypothesize that in MDD, NVBs indicating positive affects and social interest and those indicating negative feelings and social disinterest could be associated with different patterns of vagal activity. Methods: For this cross-sectional study we recruited 50 antidepressant-free participants with moderate-to-severe MDD. Vagal activity was indexed by heart rate variability (HRV) measures, and positive and negative nonverbal behaviors (NVBs) by a validated ethogram. Associations between NVBs and HRV were explored by bivariate analyses and multivariable models were adjusted by age, gender, depression severity, and self-reported positive and negative affects. Results: HRV measures indicative of higher vagal activity were positively correlated with positive NVBs exhibited during the clinical interview. Conversely, NVBs related to negative affects, low energy and social disinterest were not associated with HRV. Limitations: Absence of a control group. Conclusions: The findings highlight that the examined depression endophenotypes (nonverbal behaviors and vagal activity) are related, shedding light on MDD pathophysiology in the context of the polyvagal theory. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/20799-6 - Relação entre variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e comportamento não-verbal na depressão com base na teoria Polivagal
• Beneficiário: Raquel Albano Fernandes
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica
• Processo FAPESP: 12/50879-6 - Indicadores de expressividade e processamento emocional na depressão
• Beneficiário: Clarice Gorenstein
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 11/51732-6 - Indicadores comportamentais da expressividade não-verbal na depressão
• Beneficiário: Juliana Teixeira Fiquer
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado