Influence of prolonged stress on cerebral hemodynamics

The author has investigated the impact of psychological and socio-economic factors on cerebral hemodynamics and development of cerebrovascular disease (CVD). A group of 120 war sufferers with signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and adaptation disturbances, and 120 persons of the control group with no traumatic war experience have been studied. The blood flow velocity and various parameters of spectral frequency analysis have been measured, using the method of transcranial doppler sonography (TCD). A greater number of hemodynamical changes has been found in the group of subjects than in the control group (p < 0.05), in which increase of vasospasm is statistically significant probably as a result of predomination of the sympathetic system stimulation and nicotinic effect on the brain blood vessels. Flow disturbances are relatively more frequent in older subjects, which suggests the rapid development of the atherosclerotic process. The results suggest that exposure to prolonged stress and bad socio-economic factors, through different neurobiological mechanisms, increased the risk for stroke.