Does ‘broken heart’ syndrome originate in the brain?

For the first time, scientists have demonstrated that the brain may be involved in the development of ‘broken heart’ syndrome, also known as Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). TTS is characterized by a sudden temporary weakening of the left ventricle in the heart that is usually a result of severe stress. This causes the left ventricle of the heart to balloon out at the bottom while the neck remains narrow, which creates a shape resembling a Japanese octopus trap, from which it gets its name. Within the study, which has been published in the European Heart Journal, researchers found that regions of...