Relationships between features of autonomic cardiovascular control and cognitive performance.
The study investigated relationships between autonomic cardiovascular control and attentional performance. In 60 healthy subjects R-wave to pulse interval (RPI), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), heart rate variability in the mid-frequency (MF) band and sensitivity of the cardiac baroreflex (BRS) were assessed at rest and during a visual attention test. All parameters decreased markedly during test execution. Lower values of resting BRS predicted increased performance. On-task RPI, RSA, MF power and BRS were inversely related to attentional functioning, with RSA accounting for the largest portion of test score variance. The inverse association between resting BRS and performance is discussed as reflecting the bottom-up modulation of cerebral function by baroreceptor activity. The results concerning the on-task measures suggest that a pattern of cardiovascular adjustment including enhanced sympathetic and reduced vagal cardiovascular influences, as well as baroreflex inhibition may induce an adaptive state associated with improved cognitive-attentional functioning.
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department Psychologie, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802 Munich, Germany. duschek@psy.uni-muenchen.de
Stefan
S
Duschek
Magdalena
M
Muckenthaler
Natalie
N
Werner
Gustavo A Reyes
GA
del Paso
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001146:Arrhythmia, Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012119:Respiration; D055815:Young Adult