Physica A. 1998;249:491-500.  

Multiple-time scales analysis of physiological time series under neural control.

Peng CK, Hausdorff JM, Havlin S, Mietus JE, Stanley HE, Goldberger AL.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

We discuss multiple-time scale properties of neurophysiological control
mechanisms, using heart rate and gait regulation as model systems. We find that
scaling exponents can be used as prognostic indicators. Furthermore, detection
of more subtle degradation of scaling properties may provide a novel early
warning system in subjects with a variety of pathologies including those at high
risk of sudden death.

PMID: 11541513 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]