Does a Periaqueductal Gray-vagus Nerve Interface Malfunction Explain the Nat hx With Its Numerous Co-morbidities?

Description

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common and disabling disorder among adolescents. No epidemiologic data exist to support the often cited 0.5 to 2% prevalence. Case series suggest 3 to 5 times greater incidence in girls than boys. POTS is defined in children as daily chronic symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and a 40 bpm rise in heart rate in the first 10 minutes of a tilt study in the absence of orthostatic hypotension. POTS often develops after an acute event like an illness, infection, immunization, head trauma, psychological trauma or surgery. Natural history data are absent for POTS, though some outcome studies exist. Orthostatic symptoms improve in the majority and heart rate changes improve in 38% at 1 year. A 2-year follow up showed small improvement in comorbid symptoms of POTS in a 12 subject cohort followed yearly. In a pediatric 5-year outcome follow up questionnaire study, 86% of adolescents with POTS reported resolved, improved, or intermittent, symptoms, with primarily physical rather than mental health complaints.

Conditions

POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common and disabling disorder among adolescents. No epidemiologic data exist to support the often cited 0.5 to 2% prevalence. Case series suggest 3 to 5 times greater incidence in girls than boys. POTS is defined in children as daily chronic symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and a 40 bpm rise in heart rate in the first 10 minutes of a tilt study in the absence of orthostatic hypotension. POTS often develops after an acute event like an illness, infection, immunization, head trauma, psychological trauma or surgery. Natural history data are absent for POTS, though some outcome studies exist. Orthostatic symptoms improve in the majority and heart rate changes improve in 38% at 1 year. A 2-year follow up showed small improvement in comorbid symptoms of POTS in a 12 subject cohort followed yearly. In a pediatric 5-year outcome follow up questionnaire study, 86% of adolescents with POTS reported resolved, improved, or intermittent, symptoms, with primarily physical rather than mental health complaints.

(PAG POTS - NIH) Pediatric Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) : Does a Periaqueductal Gray-vagus Nerve Interface Malfunction Explain the Natural History With Its Numerous Co-morbidities?

Does a Periaqueductal Gray-vagus Nerve Interface Malfunction Explain the Nat hx With Its Numerous Co-morbidities?

Condition
POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Richmond

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23298

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * symptomatic ≥ 40 bpm rise in heart rate in the first 10 min of a tilt table study without a drop in blood pressure
  • * Clinical symptoms of orthostatic intolerance
  • * Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • * Cognitive defects that preclude answering questionnaires or following assessment directions
  • * Other chronic diseases
  • * Unstable medical conditions
  • * Use of narcotics
  • * Limited English proficiency
  • * Investigator discretion that participant would not be suitable to participate
  • * A phone older than 5 years old or unable to support EMA software

Ages Eligible for Study

12 Years to 21 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Virginia Commonwealth University,

Gisela Chelimsky, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Virginia Commonwealth University

Study Record Dates

2028-07