title: Vagal function in health and disease: studies in Pittsburgh.
abstract: The integration of behavioral processes with changes in vagally-controlled heart rate has been the focus of our investigations. A series of studies is reviewed showing that central and peripheral response inhibition is a primary source of transient, vagally-induced cardiac slowing during information processing. Individual differences in such responses are then shown to relate to the amplitude of cardiovascular responses to stressors. Overall, the specificity and sensitivity of vagal responses to higher level cortical function is supported by our research.
authors.affiliation: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. JenningsJR@msx.upmc.edu
authors.forename: J Richard
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Maurits W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: van der Molen
authors.forename: Riek J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Somsen
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gianaros
mesh_terms: D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010414:Pennsylvania; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020421:Vagus Nerve Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology