Sensing Sympathetic Activation Using Novel Non-Invasive Techniques in Rats

An innovative non-invasive sensing system was developed to determine sympathetic activation in rats. The system uses skin-based sensors to determine changes in heart rate, nerve activity and blood pressure. The system was tested on adult rats and increased sympathetic activation was induced through an acoustic startle response. Activity measured by the sensors was consistent with changes in patterns due to sympathetic activity, and the sensors were found to be positively correlated. This novel sensing system can detect changes in function of the sympathetic nervous system and can contribute to research related to dysautonomia due to neurological injuries and degenerative disorders.