Psychosomatic symptoms during South East Asian haze crisis are related to changes in cerebral hemodynamics.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Forest fires in South Asia lead to widespread haze, where many healthy individuals develop psychosomatic symptoms. We investigated the effects of haze exposure on cerebral hemodynamics and new symptoms. We hypothesised that vasoactive substances present in the haze, would lead to vasodilation of cerebral vasculature, thereby altering cerebral hemodynamics, which in turn may account for new psychosomatic symptoms.

Methods

Seventy-four healthy volunteers were recruited, and serial transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography was performed to record blood flow parameters of bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCA). The first TCD was performed in an air-conditioned environment. It was repeated outdoors after the participants spent 30-minutes in the haze environment. The

SUBMITTER: Tan BY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6322770 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature