Evaluating the

Parasympathetic and
Sympathetic Nervous
System Activity of People
with Major
Depressive Disorder

ALEXANDREA MAE JIMENO

 01 Introduction to MDD (Major Depressive

Content
Disorder)

02 Stress and the Autonomic Nervous System

Outline 03 Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous

System Activity during MDD
Topics for discussion
04 How to Stimulate PNS and SNS to manage
stress

05 Conclusion
What is Major Depressive
Disorder
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic condition
that results in cognitive disability. Frequent relapses,
incomplete recovery and residual symptoms are some of
its major symptoms.

As cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune

diseases and cancer are frequently associated with
depression, there have been numerous possibilities for
understanding the connection between these diseases
and depression.
 MDD BY THE NUMBERS

Leading Cause of
Disease burden by
2030

Source: Leonard B.E. Inflammation as the cause of the

metabolic syndrome in depression. Mod. Trends
Pharmacopsychiatry. 2013;28:117–126.
Let's talk about stress!

Stress has repeatedly been

associated with depression, and is
reported to precipitate
depressive episodes and to influence
the severity, duration and natural
course of the disorder.
 Summary of the overall
ANS Activity of Persons
with MDD

Heart rate Photoplethysmogrphy Salivary cortisol Cognitive

variability levels Impairment
Pulse pressure is
There is an evident significantly higher Persons with MDD has Persons with MDD has
decrease in heart from persons with higher levels of salivary performed
rate variability. cortisol. significantly poorer
MDD.
than persons in the
control group.
 Key Opportunities to
Manage Stress and Anxiety

Spend time with Get a massage Prayer Exercise Hobbies

nature
 CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with major depressive disorder is associated with

lower parasympathetic activity.
The sympathetic nervous system can be continuously
activated without the normal counteraction of the
parasympathetic nervous system.
Cortisol exerts its greatest effect on the hippocampus, a
brain area closely related to cognitive function. High levels
of cortisol can literally make the brain shrink, resulting to
lower cognitive function.