Chapter 8
A Self-Organized Rhythm in Peripheral
Effectors: The Intermediary Rhythm
Appears as 0.15 Hz-Band Activity
Volker Perlitz
Abstract The dynamics of a rhythm band observed first in the ear skin microcirculation of awake human subjects were scrutinized using a naturalistic study design
and nonlinear frequency and phase analysis. Since this frequency band with its centre
between 0.12 and 0.18 Hz was slower than the respiratory rhythm but faster than the
0.1 Hz sympathetic dominated rhythm, this rhythm band is referred to as intermediary rhythm. Using nonlinear frequency and phase detection methods pronounced
differences between episodes exhibiting amplitude modulated intermediary rhythm
activity and episodes void of it were identified. Varying coherence, the modulation
of peak to peak distances and fluctuations of energy transfer (modulation of the
dV/dt in the protosystolic and the diastolic phase of cardiac driven pulsations) and,
most importantly, the objective documentation of phase jumps relate the intermediary
rhythm to the principles of ‘synergetic self-organization’ as discussed by Haken. The
emergence of the intermediary rhythm is suggested to originate in non-equilibrium
phase transitions in the network of lower brainstem neurons and is further linked to
parasympathetic neuronal effectors, e.g. parasympathetic innervations of facial skin
microcirculation. Thus, the intermediary rhythm comprises oscillations of a dynamic
equipoise allowing either deceleration to slower sympathetic rhythms or acceleration
to faster vagal and respiratory related rhythms.
8.1 Introduction
Gestalt can be both bound to physical structure or temporal order. The latter is called
rhythm and is an essential feature of physiological processes. In the cardio-vascular
as well as in the respiratory system rhythms often exhibit changes in amplitude and
frequency at widely stable margins, thus forming bands. Known for long are various
rhythms which were identified and correlated to physiological functions of e.g. the
autonomic nervous system (ANS). There is ample consent that high frequency (HF,
V. Perlitz (B)
Simplana GmbH, Aachen, Germany
e-mail: perlitz@simplana.de
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
V. Blazek et al. (eds.), Studies in Skin Perfusion Dynamics,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5449-0_8
139
A Self-Organized Rhythm in Peripheral
Effectors: The Intermediary Rhythm
Appears as 0.15 Hz-Band Activity
Volker Perlitz
Abstract The dynamics of a rhythm band observed first in the ear skin microcirculation of awake human subjects were scrutinized using a naturalistic study design
and nonlinear frequency and phase analysis. Since this frequency band with its centre
between 0.12 and 0.18 Hz was slower than the respiratory rhythm but faster than the
0.1 Hz sympathetic dominated rhythm, this rhythm band is referred to as intermediary rhythm. Using nonlinear frequency and phase detection methods pronounced
differences between episodes exhibiting amplitude modulated intermediary rhythm
activity and episodes void of it were identified. Varying coherence, the modulation
of peak to peak distances and fluctuations of energy transfer (modulation of the
dV/dt in the protosystolic and the diastolic phase of cardiac driven pulsations) and,
most importantly, the objective documentation of phase jumps relate the intermediary
rhythm to the principles of ‘synergetic self-organization’ as discussed by Haken. The
emergence of the intermediary rhythm is suggested to originate in non-equilibrium
phase transitions in the network of lower brainstem neurons and is further linked to
parasympathetic neuronal effectors, e.g. parasympathetic innervations of facial skin
microcirculation. Thus, the intermediary rhythm comprises oscillations of a dynamic
equipoise allowing either deceleration to slower sympathetic rhythms or acceleration
to faster vagal and respiratory related rhythms.
8.1 Introduction
Gestalt can be both bound to physical structure or temporal order. The latter is called
rhythm and is an essential feature of physiological processes. In the cardio-vascular
as well as in the respiratory system rhythms often exhibit changes in amplitude and
frequency at widely stable margins, thus forming bands. Known for long are various
rhythms which were identified and correlated to physiological functions of e.g. the
autonomic nervous system (ANS). There is ample consent that high frequency (HF,
V. Perlitz (B)
Simplana GmbH, Aachen, Germany
e-mail: perlitz@simplana.de
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
V. Blazek et al. (eds.), Studies in Skin Perfusion Dynamics,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5449-0_8
139