Central Autonomic Network Association with Cardiac Autonomic Sleep-Wake Rhythm in Major Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder

Resting heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of ANS activity, adaptability and health, has been shown to be altered in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Borderline Personality disorder (BPD). The Central Autonomic Network (CAN) comprises brain regions involved in both physiological and behavioral regulation. Evidence linking cortical thickness of CAN components and HRV circadian patterns is scarce. We explored this relationship in patients with BPD, MDD and healthy controls (CS).