1
|
Tomasi J, Lisoway AJ, Zai CC, Zai G, Richter MA, Sanches M, Herbert D, Mohiuddin AG, Tiwari AK, Kennedy JL. Genetic and polygenic investigation of heart rate variability to identify biomarkers associated with Anxiety disorders. Psychiatry Res 2024; 338:115982. [PMID: 38850888 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Given that anxiety disorders (AD) are associated with reduced vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV), genetic variants related to HRV may provide insight into anxiety etiology. This study used polygenic risk scores (PRS) to explore the genetic overlap between AD and HRV, and investigated whether HRV-related polymorphisms influence anxiety risk. Resting vagally-mediated HRV was measured using a wearable device in 188 European individuals (AD=101, healthy controls=87). AD PRS was tested for association with resting HRV, and HRV PRS for association with AD. We also investigated 15 significant hits from an HRV genome-wide association study (GWAS) for association with resting HRV and AD and if this association is mediated through resting HRV. The AD PRS and HRV PRS showed nominally significant associations with resting HRV and anxiety disorders, respectively. HRV GWAS variants associated with resting HRV were rs12980262 (NDUFA11), rs2680344 (HCN4), rs4262 and rs180238 (GNG11), and rs10842383 (LINC00477). Mediation analyses revealed that NDUFA11 rs12980262 A-carriers and GNG11 rs180238 and rs4262 C-carriers had higher anxiety risk through lower HRV. This study supports an anxiety-HRV genetic relationship, with HRV-related genetic variants translating to AD. This study encourages exploration of HRV genetics to understand mechanisms and identify novel treatment targets for anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Amanda J Lisoway
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Clement C Zai
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret A Richter
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Marcos Sanches
- Biostatistics Core, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Deanna Herbert
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
| | - Ayeshah G Mohiuddin
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - James L Kennedy
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gianlorenço AC, Pacheco-Barrios K, Daibes M, Camargo L, Choi H, Song JJ, Fregni F. Age as an Effect Modifier of the Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) on Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Subjects. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4267. [PMID: 39064307 PMCID: PMC11278058 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that vagus nerve stimulation can modulate heart rate variability (HRV). However, there is a lack of mechanistic studies in healthy subjects assessing the effects of bilateral transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on HRV. Our study aims to investigate how taVNS can influence the HRV response, including the influence of demographic variables in this response. Methods: Therefore, we conducted a randomized controlled study with 44 subjects, 22 allocated to active and 22 to sham taVNS. Results: Our results showed a significant difference between groups in the high-frequency (HF) metric. Active taVNS increased the HF metric significantly as compared to sham taVNS. Also, we found that age was a significant effect modifier of the relationship between taVNS and HF-HRV, as a larger increase in HF-HRV was seen in the older subjects. Importantly, there was a decrease in HF-HRV in the sham group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that younger subjects can adapt and maintain a constant level of HF-HRV regardless of the type of stimulation, but in the older subjects, only the active taVNS recipients were able to maintain and increase their HF-HRV. These results are important because they indicate that taVNS can enhance physiological regulation processes in response to external events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Carolyna Gianlorenço
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Neurological Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Department, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Kevin Pacheco-Barrios
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Marianna Daibes
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Lucas Camargo
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Hyuk Choi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea;
- Neurive Co., Ltd., Gimhae 08308, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jae-Jun Song
- Neurive Co., Ltd., Gimhae 08308, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Felipe Fregni
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wei L, Chen Y, Chen X, Baeken C, Wu GR. Cardiac vagal activity changes moderated the association of cognitive and cerebral hemodynamic variations in the prefrontal cortex. Neuroimage 2024; 297:120725. [PMID: 38977040 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Phasic cardiac vagal activity (CVA), reflecting ongoing, moment-to-moment psychophysiological adaptations to environmental changes, can serve as a predictor of individual difference in executive function, particularly executive performance. However, the relationship between phasic CVA and executive function demands requires further validation because of previous inconsistent findings. Moreover, it remains unclear what types of phasic changes of CVA may be adaptive in response to heightened executive demands. This study used the standard N-back task to induce different levels of working memory (WM) load and combined functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) with a multipurpose polygraph to investigate the variations of CVA and its interactions with cognitive and prefrontal responses as executive demands increased in fifty-two healthy young subjects. Our results showed phasic decreases in CVA as WM load increased (t (51) = -3.758, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.526). Furthermore, phasic changes of CVA elicited by increased executive demands moderated the association of cognitive and cerebral hemodynamic variations in the prefrontal cortex (B = 0.038, SE = 0.014, p < 0.05). Specifically, as executive demands increased, individuals with larger phasic CVA withdrawal showed a positive relationship between cognitive and hemodynamic variations in the prefrontal cortex (β = 0.281, p = 0.031). No such significant relationship was observed in individuals with smaller phasic CVA withdrawal. The current findings demonstrate a decrease in CVA with increasing executive demands and provide empirical support for the notion that a larger phasic CVA withdrawal can be considered adaptive in situations requiring high executive function demands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luqing Wei
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, PR China.
| | - Yuchun Chen
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, PR China
| | - Xiuwen Chen
- Huizhou Second People's Hospital, Huizhou, PR China
| | - Chris Baeken
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital (UZBrussel), Brussels, Belgium; Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Guo-Rong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang H, Xu L, Dong L, Li Y, Liu H, Xiao G. Effect of heart rate on poor outcome in stroke patients treated with intra-arterial thrombectomy. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:164. [PMID: 38773425 PMCID: PMC11106893 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The relationship between heart rate and the prognosis of patients with large vessel occlusion strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the association of mean heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) with the clinical outcomes after MT therapy. METHODS Acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing MT therapy were prospectively recruited from March 2020 to November 2022. Their heart rate was collected every hour for the initial 72 h after MT procedure, and the variability of heart rate was measured by standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV). All-cause mortality and worsening of functional outcome (change in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score) at 3-month were captured. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between heart rate indicators and all-cause mortality. Ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between heart rate indicators and worsening of functional outcome. RESULTS Among 191 MT-treated patients, 51(26.7%) patients died at 3-month after stroke. Increased mean heart rate per 10-bpm, heart rate SD and CV per 5-unit were all associated with the increased risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] with 95% CI: 1.29 [1.09-1.51], 1.19 [1.07-1.32], 1.14 [1.03-1.27]; respectively). Patients in the highest tertile of heart rate SD had an increased risk of mortality (4.62, 1.70-12.52). After using mRS as a continuous variable, we found increased mean heart rate per 10-bpm, heart rate SD and CV per 5-unit were associated with the worsening of functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] with 95% CI: 1.35 [1.11-1.64], 1.27 [1.05-1.53], 1.19 [1.02-1.40]; respectively). A linear relationship was observed between mean heart rate or heart rate SD and mortality; while all of the heart rate measures in this study showed a linear relationship with the worsening of functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS Higher mean heart rate and HRV were associated with the increased risk of 3-month all-cause mortality and worse functional outcome after MT therapy for AIS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huaishun Wang
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Longdong Xu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
- fifth People's Hospital of Changshu, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Li Dong
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Yingzi Li
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China.
| | - Guodong Xiao
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tomasi J, Zai CC, Zai G, Herbert D, Richter MA, Mohiuddin AG, Tiwari AK, Kennedy JL. Investigating the association of anxiety disorders with heart rate variability measured using a wearable device. J Affect Disord 2024; 351:569-578. [PMID: 38272363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV) has been associated with anxiety disorders (AD). The aim of this study was to use a wearable device and remote study design to re-evaluate the association of HRV with ADs, anxiety-related traits, and confounders. METHODS 240 individuals (AD = 120, healthy controls = 120) completed an at-home assessment of their short-term resting vagally-mediated HRV using a wristband, monitored over videoconference. Following quality control, analyses were performed investigating differences in HRV between individuals with AD (n = 119) and healthy controls (n = 116), associations of HRV with anxiety-related traits and confounders, and antidepressants effects on HRV in patients, including analyses stratified by ancestry (i.e., European, East Asian, African). RESULTS Among the confounders investigated, only age had a significant association with HRV. Patients with an AD had significantly lower vagally-mediated HRV than healthy controls in the European subsample, with a trend of significance in the whole sample. HRV was significantly associated with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) but not with antidepressant use in the European subsample. LIMITATIONS The study measures occurred in a non-standardized at-home setting, and the three ancestry group sample sizes were unequal. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates reduced vagally-mediated HRV among patients with ADs compared to healthy controls. Results also point to low HRV being related to more physical anxiety symptoms (measured via HAM-A), suggesting a possible anxiety subtype. Overall, this study highlights the feasibility of using wearables for patients and encourages exploration of the biological and clinical utility of HRV as a risk factor for ADs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Clement C Zai
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, United States of America
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; OCD and Anxiety Disorders Services, General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
| | - Deanna Herbert
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
| | - Margaret A Richter
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ayeshah G Mohiuddin
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Philippi CL, Weible E, Ehlers A, Walsh EC, Hoks RM, Birn RM, Abercrombie HC. Effects of cortisol administration on heart rate variability and functional connectivity across women with different depression histories. Behav Brain Res 2024; 463:114923. [PMID: 38408523 PMCID: PMC10942667 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Abnormalities within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system have been implicated in depression. Studies have reported glucocorticoid insensitivity and reduced heart rate variability (HRV) in depressive disorders. However, little is known about the effects of cortisol on HRV and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the central autonomic network (CAN) in depression. We collected resting-state fMRI and cardiac data for women with different depression histories (n = 61) after administration of cortisol and placebo using a double-blind crossover design. We computed rsFC for R-amygdala and L-amygdala seeds and assessed the change in HRV after cortisol (cortisol-placebo). Analyses examined the effects of acute cortisol administration on HRV and rsFC of the R-amygdala and L-amygdala. There was a significant interaction between HRV and treatment for rsFC between the amygdala and CAN regions. We found lower rsFC between the L-amygdala and putamen for those with a greater decrease in HRV after cortisol. There was also reduced rsFC between the R-amygdala and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, putamen, middle cingulate cortex, insula, and cerebellum in those with lower HRV after cortisol. These results remained significant after adjusting for depression symptoms, age, and race. Our findings suggest that the effect of cortisol on CAN connectivity is related to its effects on HRV. Overall, these results could inform transdiagnostic interventions targeting HRV and the stress response systems across clinical and non-clinical populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carissa L Philippi
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA.
| | - Emily Weible
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA
| | - Alissa Ehlers
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd, Madison, WI 53719, USA
| | - Erin C Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, CB# 7167, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Roxanne M Hoks
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd, Madison, WI 53719, USA; Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison., 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA
| | - Rasmus M Birn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd, Madison, WI 53719, USA
| | - Heather C Abercrombie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd, Madison, WI 53719, USA; Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison., 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhong Y, Li J, Hong Y, Yang S, Pei L, Chen X, Wu H, Wang T. Resting heart rate causally affects the brain cortical structure: Mendelian randomization study. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad536. [PMID: 38212288 PMCID: PMC10839837 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Resting heart rate (RHR) has been linked to impaired cortical structure in observational studies. However, the extent to which this association is potentially causal has not been determined. Using genetic data, this study aimed to reveal the causal effect of RHR on brain cortical structure. A Two-Sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted. Sensitivity analyses, weighted median, MR Pleiotropy residual sum and outlier, and MR-Egger regression were conducted to evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. A causal relationship between RHR and cortical structures was identified by MR analysis. On the global scale, elevated RHR was found to decrease global surface area (SA; P < 0.0125). On a regional scale, the elevated RHR significantly decreased the SA of pars triangularis without global weighted (P = 1.58 × 10-4) and the thickness (TH) of the paracentral with global weighted (P = 3.56 × 10-5), whereas it increased the TH of banks of the superior temporal sulcus in the presence of global weighted (P = 1.04 × 10-4). MR study provided evidence that RHR might be causally linked to brain cortical structure, which offers a different way to understand the heart-brain axis theory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinsheng Zhong
- Department of Emergency, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518003, P. R. China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Emergency, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518003, P. R. China
| | - Yinghui Hong
- Department of Emergency, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518003, P. R. China
| | - Shujun Yang
- Department of Emergency, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518003, P. R. China
| | - Liying Pei
- Department of Emergency, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518003, P. R. China
| | - Xuxiang Chen
- Department of Emergency, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518003, P. R. China
| | - Haidong Wu
- Department of Emergency, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518003, P. R. China
| | - Tong Wang
- Department of Emergency, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518003, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Grasser LR, Erjo T, Goodwin MS, Naim R, German RE, White J, Cullins L, Tseng WL, Stoddard J, Brotman MA. Can peripheral psychophysiological markers predict response to exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy in youth with severely impairing irritability? A study protocol. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:926. [PMID: 38082431 PMCID: PMC10712194 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05421-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irritability, an increased proneness to anger, is a primary reason youth present for psychiatric care. While initial evidence supports the efficacy of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for youth with clinically impairing irritability, treatment mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we propose to measure peripheral psychophysiological indicators of arousal-heart rate (HR)/electrodermal activity (EDA)-and regulation-heart rate variability (HRV)-during exposures to anger-inducing stimuli as potential predictors of treatment efficacy. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether in-situ biosensing data provides peripheral physiological indicators of in-session response to exposures. METHODS Blood volume pulse (BVP; from which HR and HRV canl be derived) and EDA will be collected ambulatorily using the Empatica EmbracePlus from 40 youth (all genders; ages 8-17) undergoing six in-person exposure treatment sessions, as part of a multiple-baseline trial of exposure-based CBT for clinically impairing irritability. Clinical ratings of irritability will be conducted at baseline, weekly throughout treatment, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups via the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI) and the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI; clinician-, parent-, and child-report). Multilevel modeling will be used to assess within- and between-person changes in physiological arousal and regulation throughout exposure-based CBT and to determine whether individual differences are predictive of treatment response. DISCUSSION This study protocol leverages a wearable biosensor (Empatica) to continuously record HR/HRV (derived from BVP) and EDA during in-person exposure sessions for youth with clinically impairing irritability. Here, the goal is to identify changes in physiological arousal (EDA, HR) and regulation (HRV) over the course of treatment in tandem with changes in clinical symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION The participants in this study come from an overarching clinical trial (trial registration numbers: NCT02531893 first registered on 8/25/2015; last updated on 8/25/2023). The research project and all related materials were submitted and approved by the appropriate Institutional Review Board of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lana Ruvolo Grasser
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Trinity Erjo
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew S Goodwin
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reut Naim
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ramaris E German
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jamell White
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Cullins
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wan-Ling Tseng
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joel Stoddard
- Department of Psychiatry and Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Melissa A Brotman
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yoo HJ, Nashiro K, Dutt S, Min J, Cho C, Thayer JF, Lehrer P, Chang C, Mather M. Daily biofeedback to modulate heart rate oscillations affects structural volume in hippocampal subregions targeted by the locus coeruleus in older adults but not younger adults. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 132:85-99. [PMID: 37769491 PMCID: PMC10840698 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Using data from a clinical trial, we tested the hypothesis that daily sessions modulating heart rate oscillations affect older adults' volume of a region-of-interest (ROI) comprised of adjacent hippocampal subregions with relatively strong locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic input. Younger and older adults were randomly assigned to one of two daily biofeedback practices for 5 weeks: (1) engage in slow-paced breathing to increase the amplitude of oscillations in heart rate at their breathing frequency (Osc+); (2) engage in self-selected strategies to decrease heart rate oscillations (Osc-). The interventions did not significantly affect younger adults' hippocampal volume. Among older adults, the two conditions affected volume in the LC-targeted hippocampal ROI differentially as reflected in a significant condition × time-point interaction on ROI volume. These condition differences were driven by opposing changes in the two conditions (increased volume in Osc+ and decreased volume in Osc-) and were mediated by the degree of heart rate oscillation during training sessions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Shubir Dutt
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | | | - Paul Lehrer
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08852, USA
| | - Catie Chang
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cunningham PB, Gilmore J, Naar S, Preston SD, Eubanks CF, Hubig NC, McClendon J, Ghosh S, Ryan-Pettes S. Opening the Black Box of Family-Based Treatments: An Artificial Intelligence Framework to Examine Therapeutic Alliance and Therapist Empathy. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:975-993. [PMID: 37676364 PMCID: PMC10845126 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-023-00451-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The evidence-based treatment (EBT) movement has primarily focused on core intervention content or treatment fidelity and has largely ignored practitioner skills to manage interpersonal process issues that emerge during treatment, especially with difficult-to-treat adolescents (delinquent, substance-using, medical non-adherence) and those of color. A chief complaint of "real world" practitioners about manualized treatments is the lack of correspondence between following a manual and managing microsocial interpersonal processes (e.g. negative affect) that arise in treating "real world clients." Although family-based EBTs share core similarities (e.g. focus on family interactions, emphasis on practitioner engagement, family involvement), most of these treatments do not have an evidence base regarding common implementation and treatment process problems that practitioners experience in delivering particular models, especially in mid-treatment when demands on families to change their behavior is greatest in treatment - a lack that characterizes the field as a whole. Failure to effectively address common interpersonal processes with difficult-to-treat families likely undermines treatment fidelity and sustained use of EBTs, treatment outcome, and contributes to treatment dropout and treatment nonadherence. Recent advancements in wearables, sensing technologies, multivariate time-series analyses, and machine learning allow scientists to make significant advancements in the study of psychotherapy processes by looking "under the skin" of the provider-client interpersonal interactions that define therapeutic alliance, empathy, and empathic accuracy, along with the predictive validity of these therapy processes (therapeutic alliance, therapist empathy) to treatment outcome. Moreover, assessment of these processes can be extended to develop procedures for training providers to manage difficult interpersonal processes while maintaining a physiological profile that is consistent with astute skills in psychotherapeutic processes. This paper argues for opening the "black box" of therapy to advance the science of evidence-based psychotherapy by examining the clinical interior of evidence-based treatments to develop the next generation of audit- and feedback- (i.e., systemic review of professional performance) supervision systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillippe B Cunningham
- Division of Global and Community Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 176 Croghan Spur Rd. Ste. 104, Charleston, SC, 29407, USA.
| | - Jordon Gilmore
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, 401-3 Rhodes Research Center, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Sylvie Naar
- Center for Translational Behavioral Science, Florida State University, 2010 Levy Avenue Building B, Suite B0266, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Stephanie D Preston
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Catherine F Eubanks
- Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, One South Avenue, Garden City, NY, USA
| | - Nina Christina Hubig
- School of Computing, Clemson University, 1240 Supply Street, Charleston, SC, 29405, USA
| | - Jerome McClendon
- Department of Automotive Engineering, Clemson University, 4 Research Drive, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - Samiran Ghosh
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science & Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials (CCCT), University of Texas School of Public Health, University Texas Health Sciences , RAS W-928, 1200 Pressler Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Stacy Ryan-Pettes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yoo HJ, Nashiro K, Dutt S, Min J, Cho C, Thayer JF, Lehrer P, Chang C, Mather M. Daily biofeedback to modulate heart rate oscillations affects structural volume in hippocampal subregions targeted by the locus coeruleus in older adults but not younger adults. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.03.02.23286715. [PMID: 37745356 PMCID: PMC10516053 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.02.23286715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Using data from a clinical trial, we tested the hypothesis that daily sessions modulating heart rate oscillations affect older adults' volume of a region-of-interest (ROI) comprised of adjacent hippocampal subregions with relatively strong locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic input. Younger and older adults were randomly assigned to one of two daily biofeedback practices for 5 weeks: 1) engage in slow-paced breathing to increase the amplitude of oscillations in heart rate at their breathing frequency (Osc+); 2) engage in self-selected strategies to decrease heart rate oscillations (Osc-). The interventions did not significantly affect younger adults' hippocampal volume. Among older adults, the two conditions affected volume in the LC-targeted hippocampal ROI differentially as reflected in a significant condition x time-point interaction on ROI volume. These condition differences were driven by opposing changes in the two conditions (increased volume in Osc+ and decreased volume in Osc-) and were mediated by the degree of heart rate oscillation during training sessions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Shubir Dutt
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | | | | | | | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yoo HJ, Nashiro K, Min J, Cho C, Mercer N, Bachman SL, Nasseri P, Dutt S, Porat S, Choi P, Zhang Y, Grigoryan V, Feng T, Thayer JF, Lehrer P, Chang C, Stanley JA, Head E, Rouanet J, Marmarelis VZ, Narayanan S, Wisnowski J, Nation DA, Mather M. Multimodal neuroimaging data from a 5-week heart rate variability biofeedback randomized clinical trial. Sci Data 2023; 10:503. [PMID: 37516756 PMCID: PMC10387077 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02396-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
We present data from the Heart Rate Variability and Emotion Regulation (HRV-ER) randomized clinical trial testing effects of HRV biofeedback. Younger (N = 121) and older (N = 72) participants completed baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including T1-weighted, resting and emotion regulation task functional MRI (fMRI), pulsed continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL), and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). During fMRI scans, physiological measures (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and end-tidal CO2) were continuously acquired. Participants were randomized to either increase heart rate oscillations or decrease heart rate oscillations during daily sessions. After 5 weeks of HRV biofeedback, they repeated the baseline measurements in addition to new measures (ultimatum game fMRI, training mimicking during blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) and PCASL fMRI). Participants also wore a wristband sensor to estimate sleep time. Psychological assessment comprised three cognitive tests and ten questionnaires related to emotional well-being. A subset (N = 104) provided plasma samples pre- and post-intervention that were assayed for amyloid and tau. Data is publicly available via the OpenNeuro data sharing platform.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Noah Mercer
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | | | - Padideh Nasseri
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Shubir Dutt
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Shai Porat
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Paul Choi
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | | | - Tiantian Feng
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | | | - Paul Lehrer
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick-Piscataway, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cubillo A, Tkalcec A, Oldenhof H, Unternaehrer E, Raschle N, Kohls G, Nauta-Jansen L, Hervas A, Fernandez-Rivas A, Konrad K, Popma A, Freitag C, de Brito S, Fairchild G, Stadler C. Linking heart rate variability to psychological health and brain structure in adolescents with and without conduct disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1101064. [PMID: 37441149 PMCID: PMC10333527 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1101064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Heart rate variability (HRV) measures have been suggested in healthy individuals as a potential index of self-regulation skills, which include both cognitive and emotion regulation aspects. Studies in patients with a range of psychiatric disorders have however mostly focused on the potential association between abnormally low HRV at rest and specifically emotion regulation difficulties. Emotion regulation deficits have been reported in patients with Conduct Disorder (CD) however, the association between these emotion regulation deficits and HRV measures has yet to be fully understood. This study investigates (i) the specificity of the association between HRV and emotion regulation skills in adolescents with and without CD and (ii) the association between HRV and grey matter brain volumes in key areas of the central autonomic network which are involved in self-regulation processes, such as insula, lateral/medial prefrontal cortices or amygdala. Methods Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) measures of HRV were collected from adolescents aged between 9-18 years (693 CD (427F)/753 typically developing youth (TD) (500F)), as part of a European multi-site project (FemNAT-CD). The Inverse Efficiency Score, a speed-accuracy trade-off measure, was calculated to assess emotion and cognitive regulation abilities during an Emotional Go/NoGo task. The association between RSA and task performance was tested using multilevel regression models. T1-weighted structural MRI data were included for a subset of 577 participants (257 CD (125F); 320 TD (186F)). The CerebroMatic toolbox was used to create customised Tissue Probability Maps and DARTEL templates, and CAT12 to segment brain images, followed by a 2 × 2 (sex × group) full factorial ANOVA with RSA as regressor of interest. Results There were no significant associations between RSA and task performance, neither during emotion regulation nor during cognitive regulation trials. RSA was however positively correlated with regional grey matter volume in the left insula (pFWE = 0.011) across all subjects. Conclusion RSA was related to increased grey matter volume in the left insula across all subjects. Our results thus suggest that low RSA at rest might be a contributing or predisposing factor for potential self-regulation difficulties. Given the insula's role in both emotional and cognitive regulation processes, these brain structural differences might impact either of those.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cubillo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (research section), University Psychiatric Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Neuroeconomics, Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonia Tkalcec
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (research section), University Psychiatric Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Helena Oldenhof
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (research section), University Psychiatric Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nora Raschle
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gregor Kohls
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lucres Nauta-Jansen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Amaia Hervas
- Hospital Universitario Mutua Terrassa, IGAIN, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aranzazu Fernandez-Rivas
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Basurto University Hospital, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- RWTH Aachen University & JARA-Brain Institute, Aachen, Germany
| | - Arne Popma
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christine Freitag
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Graeme Fairchild
- Developmental Psychopathology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Stadler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (research section), University Psychiatric Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Nashiro K, Min J, Yoo HJ, Cho C, Bachman SL, Dutt S, Thayer JF, Lehrer PM, Feng T, Mercer N, Nasseri P, Wang D, Chang C, Marmarelis VZ, Narayanan S, Nation DA, Mather M. Increasing coordination and responsivity of emotion-related brain regions with a heart rate variability biofeedback randomized trial. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 23:66-83. [PMID: 36109422 PMCID: PMC9931635 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-022-01032-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Heart rate variability is a robust biomarker of emotional well-being, consistent with the shared brain networks regulating emotion regulation and heart rate. While high heart rate oscillatory activity clearly indicates healthy regulatory brain systems, can increasing this oscillatory activity also enhance brain function? To test this possibility, we randomly assigned 106 young adult participants to one of two 5-week interventions involving daily biofeedback that either increased heart rate oscillations (Osc+ condition) or had little effect on heart rate oscillations (Osc- condition) and examined effects on brain activity during rest and during regulating emotion. While there were no significant changes in the right amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) functional connectivity (our primary outcome), the Osc+ intervention increased left amygdala-MPFC functional connectivity and functional connectivity in emotion-related resting-state networks during rest. It also increased down-regulation of activity in somatosensory brain regions during an emotion regulation task. The Osc- intervention did not have these effects. In this healthy cohort, the two conditions did not differentially affect anxiety, depression, or mood. These findings indicate that modulating heart rate oscillatory activity changes emotion network coordination in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shelby L Bachman
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shubir Dutt
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | | | | | - Tiantian Feng
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Noah Mercer
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Padideh Nasseri
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Diana Wang
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | | | - Vasilis Z Marmarelis
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shri Narayanan
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | | | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Matusik PS, Zhong C, Matusik PT, Alomar O, Stein PK. Neuroimaging Studies of the Neural Correlates of Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12031016. [PMID: 36769662 PMCID: PMC9917610 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct and indirect links between brain regions and cardiac function have been reported. We performed a systematic literature review to summarize current knowledge regarding the associations of heart rate variability (HRV) and brain region morphology, activity and connectivity involved in autonomic control at rest in healthy subjects. Both positive and negative correlations of cortical thickness and gray matter volumes of brain structures with HRV were observed. The strongest were found for a cluster located within the cingulate cortex. A decline in HRV, as well as cortical thickness with increasing age, especially in the orbitofrontal cortex were noted. When associations of region-specific brain activity with HRV were examined, HRV correlated most strongly with activity in the insula, cingulate cortex, frontal and prefrontal cortices, hippocampus, thalamus, striatum and amygdala. Furthermore, significant correlations, largely positive, between HRV and brain region connectivity (in the amygdala, cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex) were observed. Notably, right-sided neural structures may be preferentially involved in heart rate and HRV control. However, the evidence for left hemispheric control of cardiac vagal function has also been reported. Our findings provide support for the premise that the brain and the heart are interconnected by both structural and functional networks and indicate complex multi-level interactions. Further studies of brain-heart associations promise to yield insights into their relationship to health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja S. Matusik
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Chuwen Zhong
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Paweł T. Matusik
- Department of Electrocardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-202 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Electrocardiology, The John Paul II Hospital, 31-202 Kraków, Poland
| | - Omar Alomar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Phyllis K. Stein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Changes in Medial Prefrontal Cortex Mediate Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on Positive Emotional Memory Biases. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2023; 48:135-147. [PMID: 36658380 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-023-09579-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Previous research suggests that implicit automatic emotion regulation relies on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, most of the human studies supporting this hypothesis have been correlational in nature. In the current study, we examine how changes in mPFC-left amygdala functional connectivity relate to emotional memory biases. In a randomized clinical trial examining the effects of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback on brain mechanisms of emotion regulation, we randomly assigned participants to increase or decrease heart rate oscillations while receiving biofeedback. After several weeks of daily biofeedback sessions, younger and older participants completed an emotional picture memory task involving encoding, recall, and recognition phases as an additional measure in this clinical trial. Participants assigned to increase HRV (Osc+) (n = 84) showed a relatively higher rate of false alarms for positive than negative images than participants assigned to decrease HRV (Osc-) (n = 81). Osc+ participants also recalled relatively more positive compared with negative items than Osc- participants, but this difference was not significant. However, a summary bias score reflecting positive emotional memory bias across recall and recognition was significantly higher in the Osc+ than Osc- condition. As previously reported, the Osc+ manipulation increased left amygdala-mPFC resting-state functional connectivity significantly more than the Osc- manipulation. This increased functional connectivity significantly mediated the effects of the Osc+ condition on emotional bias. These findings suggest that, by increasing mPFC coordination of emotion-related circuits, daily practice increasing heart rate oscillations can increase implicit emotion regulation.
Collapse
|
17
|
Yoo HJ, Nashiro K, Min J, Cho C, Bachman SL, Nasseri P, Porat S, Dutt S, Grigoryan V, Choi P, Thayer JF, Lehrer PM, Chang C, Mather M. Heart rate variability (HRV) changes and cortical volume changes in a randomized trial of five weeks of daily HRV biofeedback in younger and older adults. Int J Psychophysiol 2022; 181:50-63. [PMID: 36030986 PMCID: PMC11195601 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies indicate that the structure and function of medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) are associated with heart rate variability (HRV). Typically, this association is assumed to reflect the PFC's role in controlling HRV and emotion regulation, with better prefrontal structural integrity supporting greater HRV and better emotion regulation. However, as a control system, the PFC must monitor and respond to heart rate oscillatory activity. Thus, engaging in regulatory feedback during heart rate oscillatory activity may over time help shape PFC structure, as relevant circuits and connections are modified. In the current study with younger and older adults, we tested whether 5 weeks of daily sessions of biofeedback to increase heart rate oscillations (Osc+ condition) vs. to decrease heart rate oscillations (Osc- condition) affected cortical volume in left OFC and right OFC, two regions particularly associated with HRV in prior studies. The left OFC showed significant differences in volume change across conditions, with Osc+ increasing volume relative to Osc-. The volume changes in left OFC were significantly correlated with changes in mood disturbance. In addition, resting low frequency HRV increased more in the Osc+ than in the Osc- condition. These findings indicate that daily biofeedback sessions regulating heart rate oscillatory activity can shape both resting HRV and the brain circuits that help control HRV and regulate emotion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Shelby L Bachman
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Padideh Nasseri
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Shai Porat
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Shubir Dutt
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Vardui Grigoryan
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States of America
| | - Paul Choi
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Julian F Thayer
- University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
| | - Paul M Lehrer
- Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States of America
| | - Catie Chang
- Vanderbilt University, TN 37235, United States of America
| | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Terock J, Hannemann A, Klinger-König J, Janowitz D, Grabe HJ, Murck H. The neurobiology of childhood trauma-aldosterone and blood pressure changes in a community sample. World J Biol Psychiatry 2022; 23:622-630. [PMID: 34906037 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2021.2018724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood trauma is an important risk factor for the onset and course of psychiatric disorders and particularly major depression. Recently, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, one of the core stress hormone systems, has been demonstrated to be modified by childhood trauma. METHODS Childhood trauma was obtained using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) in a community-dwelling sample (N = 2038). Plasma concentrations of renin and aldosterone were measured in subjects with childhood trauma (CT; N = 385) vs. subjects without this experience (NoCT; N = 1653). Multivariable linear regression models were calculated to assess the associations between CTQ, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, renin and aldosterone concentrations, and the ratio of aldosterone and systolic blood pressure (A/SBP). RESULTS CT subjects demonstrated higher plasma aldosterone (A) concentrations, a lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a higher A/SBP. In addition, both aldosterone concentrations, as well as A/SBP, correlated with the severity of childhood trauma. These findings could not be attributed to differences in concomitant medication. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, childhood trauma was associated with neurobiological markers, which may impact the risk for psychiatric disorders, primarily major depression. The altered A/SBP ratio points to a desensitisation of peripheral mineralocorticoid receptor function, which may be a target for therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Terock
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Stralsund, Germany
| | - Anke Hannemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Johanna Klinger-König
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Deborah Janowitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Stralsund, Germany
| | - Hans J Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases DZNE, Site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Harald Murck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Murck-Neuroscience LLC, Westfield, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Thapaliya K, Marshall-Gradisnik S, Staines D, Su J, Barnden L. Alteration of Cortical Volume and Thickness in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:848730. [PMID: 35527811 PMCID: PMC9072664 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.848730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients suffer from neurocognitive impairment. In this study, we investigated cortical volumetric and thickness changes in ME/CFS patients and healthy controls (HC). We estimated mean surface-based cortical volume and thickness from 18 ME/CFS patients who met International Consensus Criteria (ICC) and 26 HC using FreeSurfer. Vertex-wise analysis showed significant reductions in the caudal middle frontal gyrus (p = 0.0016) and precuneus (p = 0.013) thickness in ME/CFS patients compared with HC. Region based analysis of sub-cortical volumes found that amygdala volume (p = 0.002) was significantly higher in ME/CFS patients compared with HC. We also performed interaction-with-group regressions with clinical measures to test for cortical volume and thickness correlations in ME/CFS with opposite slopes to HC (abnormal). ME/CFS cortical volume and thickness regressions with fatigue, heart-rate variability, heart rate, sleep disturbance score, respiratory rate, and cognitive performance were abnormal. Our study demonstrated different cortical volume and thickness in ME/CFS patients and showed abnormal cortical volume and thickness regressions with key symptoms of ME/CFS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Thapaliya
- National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- Center for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kiran Thapaliya,
| | - Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
- National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald Staines
- National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Jiasheng Su
- National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Leighton Barnden
- National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gribanov AV, Kottsova ON, Anikina NY, Pankov MN, Startseva LF. Impact Of Seasonal Fluctuations In Natural Light On Cerebral Metabolism In Arctic Region Residents With Different Autonomic Tones. RUSSIAN OPEN MEDICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.15275/rusomj.2021.0426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background — The study of physiological mechanisms of human acclimatization to extreme climatic conditions is an urgent task in current socioeconomic conditions of the Arctic region development. Natural cycles of seasonal adaptation based on light stimulus cause functional restructuring of the cerebral cortex and subcortical activity centers and change the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Objective — The article aims at determining the characteristics of brain energy metabolism in Arctic region residents with different autonomic tones during different seasons. Material and Methods — The first stage of our study was conducted using the computer appliance VNS-Spectrum (Neurosoft LLC, Russia) and resulted in setting up two groups: with predominance of the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (26 subjects) and with prevailing sympathetic autonomic nervous system (23 individuals). At the second stage, the study of the seasonal dynamics in cerebral energy processes took place (in October, December, March, and June) by means of using the five-channel diagnostic complex Neuro-KM for topographic mapping of brain electrical activity via direct current potential levels (DCPL). Results — Our results did not exhibit statistically significant gender-related differences, hence they permitted to form a single group. The results were compared with the software reference values for the norm. Conclusion — Enlarged levels of natural light prompt the activation of energy metabolism in frontal and occipital lobes of the Arctic residents’ cortex, accompanied by forming an exhaustion area in the temporal lobes. In the group of sympathotonic individuals, we revealed somewhat tense adaptation processes. Adaptation process of brain energy supply in vagotonic individuals occur less stressfully during the annual cycle.
Collapse
|
21
|
Estimating Resting HRV during fMRI: A Comparison between Laboratory and Scanner Environment. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21227663. [PMID: 34833744 PMCID: PMC8619981 DOI: 10.3390/s21227663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) is regularly assessed in neuroimaging studies as an indicator of autonomic, emotional or cognitive processes. In this study, we investigated the influence of a loud and cramped environment during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on resting HRV measures. We compared recordings during functional MRI sessions with recordings in our autonomic laboratory (LAB) in 101 healthy subjects. In the LAB, we recorded an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a photoplethysmogram (PPG) over 15 min. During resting state functional MRI, we acquired a PPG for 15 min. We assessed anxiety levels before the scanning in each subject. In 27 participants, we performed follow-up sessions to investigate a possible effect of habituation. We found a high intra-class correlation ranging between 0.775 and 0.996, indicating high consistency across conditions. We observed no systematic influence of the MRI environment on any HRV index when PPG signals were analyzed. However, SDNN and RMSSD were significantly higher when extracted from the PPG compared to the ECG. Although we found a significant correlation of anxiety and the decrease in HRV from LAB to MRI, a familiarization session did not change the HRV outcome. Our results suggest that psychological factors are less influential on the HRV outcome during MRI than the methodological choice of the cardiac signal to analyze.
Collapse
|
22
|
Shikimoto R, Noda Y, Kida H, Nakajima S, Tsugawa S, Mimura Y, Ochi R, Takayama M, Niimura H, Mimura M. Association between resilience and cortical thickness in the posterior cingulate cortex and the temporal pole in Japanese older people: A population-based cross-sectional study. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 142:89-100. [PMID: 34330025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resilience is a crucial factor preventing the onset of mental illness and contributing to the well-being and healthy longevity, whose neural bases are not fully elucidated in older people. The present study aimed to identify the cortical thickness associating with resilience in older adults. METHODS This is a part of the cross-sectional Arakawa geriatric cohort study for people aged 65 years or older, consisting of 1001 individuals. A Self-Reported Resilience Scale (RS), neuropsychological batteries, face-to-face interviews for diagnosis, and a three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were conducted. Cortical thickness was computed by the FreeSurfer. The relationships among cortical thickness, total RS score, and clinico-demographic data were investigated using univariate and multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS The total RS score was correlated with age, education, and scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in univariate analyses. The total RS score was associated with cortical thicknesses in the left posterior cingulate (β [95 % CI of B] = 0.07 [0.16-14.84]) and the left temporal pole (β [95 % CI of B] = 0.08 [0.63-9.93]) after adjusting sex, age, imaging acquisition site, education, MMSE and GDS scores, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, Barthel index, BMI, and living situation in multivariable regression analyses. CONCLUSION The present analyses suggest that the resilience capacity may be related to the cortical thickness in the posterior cingulate and temporal cortices in older adults. Our findings warrant further longitudinal studies to confirm the causal relationship between stress events, resilience, and brain structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Shikimoto
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Sakuragaoka Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Noda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hisashi Kida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shinichiro Nakajima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Sakiko Tsugawa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yu Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ryo Ochi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Midori Takayama
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Hidehito Niimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Koenig J, Abler B, Agartz I, Åkerstedt T, Andreassen OA, Anthony M, Bär KJ, Bertsch K, Brown RC, Brunner R, Carnevali L, Critchley HD, Cullen KR, de Geus EJC, de la Cruz F, Dziobek I, Ferger MD, Fischer H, Flor H, Gaebler M, Gianaros PJ, Giummarra MJ, Greening SG, Guendelman S, Heathers JAJ, Herpertz SC, Hu MX, Jentschke S, Kaess M, Kaufmann T, Klimes-Dougan B, Koelsch S, Krauch M, Kumral D, Lamers F, Lee TH, Lekander M, Lin F, Lotze M, Makovac E, Mancini M, Mancke F, Månsson KNT, Manuck SB, Mather M, Meeten F, Min J, Mueller B, Muench V, Nees F, Nga L, Nilsonne G, Ordonez Acuna D, Osnes B, Ottaviani C, Penninx BWJH, Ponzio A, Poudel GR, Reinelt J, Ren P, Sakaki M, Schumann A, Sørensen L, Specht K, Straub J, Tamm S, Thai M, Thayer JF, Ubani B, van der Mee DJ, van Velzen LS, Ventura-Bort C, Villringer A, Watson DR, Wei L, Wendt J, Schreiner MW, Westlye LT, Weymar M, Winkelmann T, Wu GR, Yoo HJ, Quintana DS. Cortical thickness and resting-state cardiac function across the lifespan: A cross-sectional pooled mega-analysis. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13688. [PMID: 33037836 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the association between autonomic nervous system [ANS] function and brain morphology across the lifespan provides important insights into neurovisceral mechanisms underlying health and disease. Resting-state ANS activity, indexed by measures of heart rate [HR] and its variability [HRV] has been associated with brain morphology, particularly cortical thickness [CT]. While findings have been mixed regarding the anatomical distribution and direction of the associations, these inconsistencies may be due to sex and age differences in HR/HRV and CT. Previous studies have been limited by small sample sizes, which impede the assessment of sex differences and aging effects on the association between ANS function and CT. To overcome these limitations, 20 groups worldwide contributed data collected under similar protocols of CT assessment and HR/HRV recording to be pooled in a mega-analysis (N = 1,218 (50.5% female), mean age 36.7 years (range: 12-87)). Findings suggest a decline in HRV as well as CT with increasing age. CT, particularly in the orbitofrontal cortex, explained additional variance in HRV, beyond the effects of aging. This pattern of results may suggest that the decline in HRV with increasing age is related to a decline in orbitofrontal CT. These effects were independent of sex and specific to HRV; with no significant association between CT and HR. Greater CT across the adult lifespan may be vital for the maintenance of healthy cardiac regulation via the ANS-or greater cardiac vagal activity as indirectly reflected in HRV may slow brain atrophy. Findings reveal an important association between CT and cardiac parasympathetic activity with implications for healthy aging and longevity that should be studied further in longitudinal research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Koenig
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Birgit Abler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ingrid Agartz
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Åkerstedt
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mia Anthony
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Karl-Jürgen Bär
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebecca C Brown
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Romuald Brunner
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luca Carnevali
- Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Hugo D Critchley
- Psychiatry, BSMS Department of Neuroscience, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), University of Sussex, Falmer, UK
| | - Kathryn R Cullen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Eco J C de Geus
- Department of Biological Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Isabel Dziobek
- Department of Psychology, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marc D Ferger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Håkan Fischer
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Herta Flor
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael Gaebler
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- MindBrainBody Institute, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter J Gianaros
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Melita J Giummarra
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Caulfield Pain Management and Research Centre, Caulfield, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven G Greening
- Department of Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Simon Guendelman
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mandy X Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Jentschke
- Cluster "Languages of Emotion", Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Kaufmann
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bonnie Klimes-Dougan
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Stefan Koelsch
- Cluster "Languages of Emotion", Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Marlene Krauch
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Deniz Kumral
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- MindBrainBody Institute, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Femke Lamers
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tae-Ho Lee
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Mats Lekander
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Feng Lin
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Martin Lotze
- Functional Imaging Unit, Center of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Elena Makovac
- Centre for Neuroimaging Science, King's College London, London, UK
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Mancini
- Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Falk Mancke
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristoffer N T Månsson
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stephen B Manuck
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mara Mather
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Frances Meeten
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Jungwon Min
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bryon Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Vera Muench
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lin Nga
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gustav Nilsonne
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Berge Osnes
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Bjorgvin District Psychiatric Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Cristina Ottaviani
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Allison Ponzio
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Govinda R Poudel
- Behaviour Environment and Cognition Research Program, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Janis Reinelt
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ping Ren
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Michiko Sakaki
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- Research Institute, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Japan
| | - Andy Schumann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Lin Sørensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Karsten Specht
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Education, UiT/The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Joana Straub
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sandra Tamm
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Michelle Thai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Julian F Thayer
- Department of Psychological Science, The University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Ubani
- Boston University, School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Denise J van der Mee
- Department of Biological Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura S van Velzen
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carlos Ventura-Bort
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- MindBrainBody Institute, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David R Watson
- Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, UK
| | - Luqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Julia Wendt
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Lars T Westlye
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tobias Winkelmann
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Guo-Rong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hyun Joo Yoo
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel S Quintana
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Improves Emotional and Physical Health and Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2021; 45:109-129. [PMID: 32385728 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-020-09466-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We performed a systematic and meta analytic review of heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) for various symptoms and human functioning. We analyzed all problems addressed by HRVB and all outcome measures in all studies, whether or not relevant to the studied population, among randomly controlled studies. Targets included various biological and psychological problems and issues with athletic, cognitive, and artistic performance. Our initial review yielded 1868 papers, from which 58 met inclusion criteria. A significant small to moderate effect size was found favoring HRVB, which does not differ from that of other effective treatments. With a small number of studies for each, HRVB has the largest effect sizes for anxiety, depression, anger and athletic/artistic performance and the smallest effect sizes on PTSD, sleep and quality of life. We found no significant differences for number of treatment sessions or weeks between pretest and post-test, whether the outcome measure was targeted to the population, or year of publication. Effect sizes are larger in comparison to inactive than active control conditions although significant for both. HRVB improves symptoms and functioning in many areas, both in the normal and pathological ranges. It appears useful as a complementary treatment. Further research is needed to confirm its efficacy for particular applications.
Collapse
|
25
|
Fridman AJ, Yang X, Vilgis V, Keenan KE, Hipwell AE, Guyer AE, Forbes EE, Casement MD. Brain structure and parasympathetic function during rest and stress in young adult women. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:1195-1207. [PMID: 33616744 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02234-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) is an important biomarker for parasympathetic function and future health outcomes. The present study examined how the structure of regions in a neural network thought to maintain top-down control of parasympathetic function is associated with HRV during both rest and social stress. Participants were 127 young women (90 Black American), who completed a structural MRI scan and the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), during which heart rate was recorded. Regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between cortical thickness in five regions of the Central Autonomic Network (CAN; anterior midcingulate cortex [aMCC], pregenual and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex [pgACC, sgACC], orbitofrontal cortex [OFC], and anterior insula) and high-frequency HRV during rest and stress. Results indicated that cortical thickness in CAN regions did not predict average HRV during rest or stress. Greater cortical thickness in the right pgACC was associated with greater peak HRV reactivity during the TSST, and survived correction for multiple comparisons, but not sensitivity analyses with outliers removed. The positive association between cortical thickness in the pgACC and peak HRV reactivity is consistent with the direction of previous findings from studies that examined tonic HRV in adolescents, but inconsistent with findings in adults, which suggests a possible neurodevelopmental shift in the relation between brain structure and autonomic function with age. Future research on age-related changes in brain structure and autonomic function would allow a more thorough understanding of how brain structure may contribute to parasympathetic function across neurodevelopment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
| | - Veronika Vilgis
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Kate E Keenan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Alison E Hipwell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Amanda E Guyer
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, USA
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Erika E Forbes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wei L, Wu GR. Structural covariance of the salience network associated with heart rate variability. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:896-905. [PMID: 32743722 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00298-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The salience network (SN) anchored by the anterior insula and cingulate is crucial for the autonomic control of body homeostasis. Resting-sate fMRI studies have linked intrinsic SN connectivity with multiple autonomic measures, but little is known about the structural organization of this system relating to cardiac vagal function. To address the above issue, the current study used covariance analysis of MRI-based gray matter volume (GMV) to map structural covariance of SN with two independent datasets, and then determined whether interregional structural connections within SN related to individual differences in vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV). The results showed a significant positive association between structural covariance of the SN and vagal component of HRV in two independent samples. More importantly, the conjunction and pooled data analysis revealed that structural correlation from left anterior insula to dorsal anterior cingulate cortex positively interacted with vagally-mediated HRV. The current results demonstrated a crucial role of the SN in the cortical modulation of efferent vagal activity to the heart, and provided new insight into structural neural network implicated in cardiac vagal control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luqing Wei
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Guo-Rong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Thayer JF, Mather M, Koenig J. Stress and aging: A neurovisceral integration perspective. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13804. [PMID: 33723899 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Darwin emphasized the intimate relationship between the brain and the heart over 150 years ago. Healthy aging is associated with significant changes in both the brain and the heart. The changes between these, the two most important organs of the body, are linked via the vagus nerve. In this review, we examine the normative changes with aging and the effect that stress may have on how the brain-heart connection changes with age. We provide a framework based on the concept of neurovisceral integration and propose that stress regulation is emotion regulation. As such, studies that have investigated emotion regulation may yield insights into successful stress regulation that helps protect people from age-related decline. In addition, interventions that improve brain health also improve heart health and vice versa. We conclude by noting that significant sex and ethnic differences exist but that future studies are needed to more fully explicate how they may moderate the associations between stress and aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian F Thayer
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Mara Mather
- Department of Psychology, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julian Koenig
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Murck H, Luerweg B, Hahn J, Braunisch M, Jezova D, Zavorotnyy M, Konrad C, Jansen A, Kircher T. Ventricular volume, white matter alterations and outcome of major depression and their relationship to endocrine parameters - A pilot study. World J Biol Psychiatry 2021; 22:104-118. [PMID: 32306867 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1757754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Brain morphology and its relation to endocrine parameters were examined, in order to determine the link of these parameters to treatment outcome to psychopharmacological treatment in depressed patients. METHODS We examined the potentially predictive value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) parameters related to mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) function on the treatment outcome of depression. 16 inpatients with a major depressive episode (MDE) were studied at baseline and 14 of them approximately six weeks later. Physiological biomarkers and 3-T-structural MRI based volume measures, using FreeSurfer 6.0 software, were determined. RESULTS Non-responders (<50% reduction of HAMD-21; n = 6) had a significantly smaller volume of the right anterior cingulate cortex, a significantly larger ventricle to brain ratio (VBR) and third ventricle volume, and smaller volumes of the central and central-anterior corpus callosum (CC) in comparison to responders (n = 7; all p ≤ 0.05). Correlational analysis (Spearman) demonstrated that larger ventricle volume was correlated to a worse treatment outcome, higher body mass index (BMI) and smaller CC segment volume, whereas the total CC volume was negatively correlated to the saliva aldosterone/cortisol concentration ratio (AC-ratio). CONCLUSION Large ventricular volume may be a predictive marker for worse treatment response to standard antidepressant treatment, potentially via compression of white matter structures. A mediating role of the previously identified markers BMI and the AC-ratio, is suggested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harald Murck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Murck-Neuroscience, Westfield, NJ, USA
| | - Benjamin Luerweg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Braunisch
- Department of Nephrology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniela Jezova
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Maxim Zavorotnyy
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Konrad
- Agaplesion Diakonieklinikum Rotenburg, Rotenburg (Wuemme), Germany
| | - Andreas Jansen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mantantzis K, Schlaghecken F, Maylor EA. Heart Rate Variability Predicts Older Adults' Avoidance of Negativity. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020; 75:1679-1688. [PMID: 30521028 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The ability to produce situation-appropriate cognitive and emotional responses is dependent on autonomic nervous system (ANS) functionality. Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index of ANS functionality, and resting HRV levels have been associated with cognitive control and inhibitory capacity in young adults, particularly when faced with emotional information. As older adults' greater preference for positive and avoidance of negative stimuli (positivity effect) is thought to be dependent on cognitive control, we hypothesized that HRV could predict positivity-effect magnitude in older adults. METHOD We measured resting-level HRV and gaze preference for happy and angry (relative to neutral) faces in 63 young and 62 older adults. RESULTS Whereas young adults showed no consistent preference for happy or angry faces, older adults showed the expected positivity effect, which predominantly manifested as negativity avoidance rather than positivity preference. Crucially, older but not young adults showed an association between HRV and gaze preference, with higher levels of HRV being specifically associated with stronger negativity avoidance. DISCUSSION This is the first study to demonstrate a link between older adults' ANS functionality and their avoidance of negative information. Increasing the efficiency of the cardiovascular system might selectively improve older adults' ability to disregard negative influences.
Collapse
|
30
|
Rab SL, Admon R. Parsing inter- and intra-individual variability in key nervous system mechanisms of stress responsivity and across functional domains. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 120:550-564. [PMID: 32941963 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to stressful events is omnipresent in modern human life, yet people show considerable heterogeneity in the impact of stress exposure(s) on their functionality and overall health. Encounter with stressor(s) is counteracted by an intricate repertoire of nervous-system responses. This narrative review starts with a brief summary of the vast evidence that supports heart rate variability, cortisol secretion, and large-scale cortical network interactions as kay physiological, endocrinological, and neural mechanisms of stress responsivity, respectively. The second section highlights potential sources for inter-individual variability in these mechanisms, by focusing on biological, environmental, social, habitual, and psychological factors that may influence stress responsivity patterns and thus contribute to heterogeneity in the impact of stress exposure on functionality and health. The third section introduces intra-individually variability in stress responsivity across functional domains as a novel putative source for heterogeneity in the impact of stress exposure. Challenges and future directions are further discussed. Parsing inter- and intra-individual variability in nervous-system mechanisms of stress responsivity and across functional domains is critical towards potential clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharona L Rab
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Roee Admon
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Babelyuk VY, Popovych IL, Babelyuk NV, Korolyshyn TA, Dubkova GI, Kovbasnyuk MM, Hubyts’kyi VY, Kikhtan VV, Musiyenko VY, Kyrylenko IG, Dobrovolsky YG, Korsunskyi IH, Muszkieta R, Zukow W, Gozhenko AI. Perspectives on the use of electrostimulation with the device “VEB”® in the management of disorders related to COVID-19. BALNEO RESEARCH JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.12680/balneo.2020.361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. One of the symptoms of COVID-19 is the so-called "cytokine storm". Its pathogenesis is that the initial release by lymphocytes and macrophages of proinflammatory cytokines in the classical immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is significantly enhanced and maintained due to excessive adrenergic stimulation of the immune cells. The proinflammatory adrenergic mechanism of the "cytokine storm" can be offset by the activation of the anti-inflammatory cholinergic mechanism by non-invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve. In 2015, a generator for electrotherapy and stimulation oh human nerve centers was created, called “VEB-1”®. Preliminary observation of volunteers revealed a modulating effect of a four-day course of electrical stimulation on the parameters of electroencephalogram, metabolism, as well as gas-discharge visualization (GDV). We hypothesized that changes in EEG parameters may be accompanied by a vagotonic shift of the sympatho-vagus balance, favorable for calming the “cytokine storm”. The main purpose of this study was to find out. In addition, concomitant changes in EEG, immunity, GDV, etc. due to the use of the devices "VEB-1"® and recently designed "VEB-2" had to be detected. Material and research methods. The object of observation were 18 volunteers: 11 women 33-62 y and 7 men 29-62 y (Mean±SD: 51±12 y) without clinical diagnose but with dysfunction of neuro-endocrine-immune complex and metabolism. In the morning registered HRV (“CardioLab+HRV”, “KhAI-Medica”, Kharkiv, UA), EEG (“NeuroCom Standard”, “KhAI-Medica”, Kharkiv, UA), kirlianogram by the method of GDV (“GDV Chamber”, “Biotechprogress”, SPb, RF), electroconductivity of skin in three pairs of points of acupuncture (“Medissa”), electrokinetic index of buccal epithelium ("Biotest", Kharkiv State University), as well as some parameters of immunity and metabolism. After the initial testing, an electrical stimulation session was performed with a “VEB-1”® or a “VEB-2” devices. The next morning after completing the four-day course, retesting was performed. Results. The effects of electrical stimulation can be divided into the following networks. Regarding EEG, this is a leveling of right-hand lateralization and normalizing decrease in the increased of the amplitude of the θ-rhythm and its spectral power density (SPD) at the loci F3, F7, F8, T3, T4, T6, P3, O1 and O2; further increase of SPD of δ-rhythm in loci F3, F4, T6, P3 and O1 as well as further decrease of SPD F4-α; reversion of the increased level of entropy in loci Fp1, F4, C3 and P3 to the lowered level. Regarding HRV, it is a vagotonic shift of sympatho-vagus balance due to a decrease in elevated levels of sympathetic tone markers and an increase in decreased levels of vagus tone markers, but without normalization. Neurotropic effects are accompanied by favorable changes in a number of immune parameters and a tendency to decrease the level of C-Reactive Protein. Regarding GDV, it is almost complete normalization of the initially increased GDI Area in the frontal projection and third Chakra Energy; normalizing decrease in the initially increased Energy of second and seventh Chakras; normalizing right-hand shift of more or less pronounced left-sided Asymmetry of first and third Chakra. These effects should be clearly interpreted as physiologically beneficial. The effects on these parameters are almost equally pronounced in people of both sexes when using both devices. Conclusion. Vagotonic and immunotropic effects of our device give us a reason to offer it for further research on the leveling of “cytokine storm” in patients with COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeriy Ye. Babelyuk
- 1. Clinical Sanatorium “Moldova”, Truskavets’, Ukraine 2. State Enterprise Ukrainian Research Institute for Medicine of Transport, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Odesa, Ukraine
| | - Igor L. Popovych
- 2. State Enterprise Ukrainian Research Institute for Medicine of Transport, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Odesa, Ukraine 3. Bohomolets’ Institute of Physiology of NAS, Kyїv, Ukraine
| | - Nazariy V. Babelyuk
- 1. Clinical Sanatorium “Moldova”, Truskavets’, Ukraine 2. State Enterprise Ukrainian Research Institute for Medicine of Transport, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Odesa, Ukraine
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Iryna G. Kyrylenko
- 2. State Enterprise Ukrainian Research Institute for Medicine of Transport, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Odesa, Ukraine
| | | | | | | | - Walery Zukow
- 5. Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Anatoliy I. Gozhenko
- 2. State Enterprise Ukrainian Research Institute for Medicine of Transport, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Odesa, Ukraine
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Eggenberger P, Annaheim S, Kündig KA, Rossi RM, Münzer T, de Bruin ED. Heart Rate Variability Mainly Relates to Cognitive Executive Functions and Improves Through Exergame Training in Older Adults: A Secondary Analysis of a 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:197. [PMID: 32760267 PMCID: PMC7373948 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) mirrors autonomic nervous system activities and might serve as a parameter to monitor health status in older adults. However, it is currently unknown which functional health measures, including cognitive, physical, and gait performance parameters, are most strongly related to HRV indices. This knowledge would enable implementing HRV assessments into health monitoring routines and training planning for older adults. Simultaneous cognitive-motor and exergame training may be effective to improve HRV indices but has not been investigated yet. Eighty-nine healthy older adults (≥70 years of age) were randomized into three groups: (1) virtual reality video game dancing, i.e., exergaming (DANCE); (2) treadmill walking with simultaneous verbal memory training (MEMORY); or (3) treadmill walking only (PHYS). Strength and balance exercises complemented each program. Over 6 months, two weekly 1-h training sessions were performed. HRV indices (standard deviation of N-N intervals, SDNN; root mean square of successive R-R interval differences, RMSSD; and absolute power of high-frequency band (0.15-0.4 Hz), HF power) and various measures of cognitive, physical, and gait performance were assessed at baseline and after 3 months and 6 months. Multiple linear regression analyses with planned comparisons were calculated. At baseline, 8-12% of HRV variance was significantly explained by cognitive executive functions and leg strength (inversely related). Verbal long-term memory, aerobic and functional fitness, and gait performance did not contribute to the model (SDNN: R2 = 0.082, p = 0.016; RMSSD: R2 = 0.121, p = 0.013; HF power: R2 = 0.119, p = 0.015). After 6 months, DANCE improved HRV indices, while MEMORY and PHYS did not (time × intervention interactions: first-contrast DANCE/MEMORY vs. PHYS: SDNN p = 0.014 one-tailed, ΔR 2 = 0.020 and RMSSD p = 0.052 one-tailed (trend), ΔR 2 = 0.007; second-contrast DANCE vs. MEMORY: SDNN p = 0.002 one-tailed, ΔR 2 = 0.035, RMSSD p = 0.017 one-tailed, ΔR 2 = 0.012, and HF power p = 0.011 one-tailed, ΔR 2 = 0.013). We conclude that mainly cognitive executive functions are associated with HRV indices and that exergame training improves global and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system activities in older adults. Periodic assessments of HRV in older citizens could be particularly beneficial to monitor cognitive health and provide indications for preventative exercise measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Eggenberger
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, St. Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Annaheim
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin A Kündig
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, St. Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - René M Rossi
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Münzer
- Geriatrische Klinik St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eling D de Bruin
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Chen PC, Whitehurst LN, Naji M, Mednick SC. Autonomic Activity during a Daytime Nap Facilitates Working Memory Improvement. J Cogn Neurosci 2020; 32:1963-1974. [PMID: 32530384 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent investigations have implicated the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system in higher-order executive functions. These actions are purported to occur through autonomic nervous system's modulation of the pFC, with parasympathetic activity during wake associated with working memory (WM) ability. Compared with wake, sleep is a period with substantially greater parasympathetic tone. Recent work has reported that sleep may also contribute to improvement in WM. Here, we examined the role of cardiac parasympathetic activity during sleep on WM improvement in healthy young adults. Participants were tested in an operation span task in the morning and evening, and during the intertest period, participants experienced either a nap or wake. We measured high-frequency heart rate variability as an index of cardiac, parasympathetic activity during both wake and sleep. Participants showed the expected boost in parasympathetic activity during nap, compared with wake. Furthermore, parasympathetic activity during sleep, but not wake, was significantly correlated with WM improvement. Together, these results indicate that the natural boost in parasympathetic activity during sleep may benefit gains in prefrontal executive function in young adults. We present a conceptual model illustrating the interaction between sleep, autonomic activity, and prefrontal brain function and highlight open research questions that will facilitate understanding of the factors that contribute to executive abilities in young adults as well as in cognitive aging.
Collapse
|
34
|
Koenig J. Neurovisceral regulatory circuits of affective resilience in youth. Psychophysiology 2020; 57:e13568. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Koenig
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Centre for Psychosocial Medicine University of Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
- KOENIG Group University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Wang W, Zhornitsky S, Le TM, Zhang S, Li CSR. Heart Rate Variability, Cue-Evoked Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortical Response, and Problem Alcohol Use in Adult Drinkers. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 5:619-628. [PMID: 32061544 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies employed cue exposure paradigms to investigate the neural processes underlying cue-elicited alcohol craving. Cue exposure elicits robust autonomic reactivity. However, whether or how cue-elicited autonomic response relates to the severity of alcohol misuse and the neural bases underlying the potential relationship remain unclear. METHODS We examined cue-related brain activations in association with heart rate variability, as indexed by the root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD), during alcohol versus neutral cue blocks in 50 adult alcohol drinkers (24 men). Imaging and heart rate variability data were collected and processed with published routines. Mediation analyses were conducted to examine the interrelationship between regional activities, cue-elicited changes in RMSSD, and the severity of problem alcohol use, as assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). RESULTS The results showed higher RMSSD during alcohol than during neutral cue exposures, with alcohol (vs. neutral) cue-evoked RMSSD positively correlated with AUDIT score. Further, alcohol (vs. neutral) cue-elicited activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex was negatively correlated both with increases in RMSSD and with the AUDIT score. Mediation analyses suggested that the RMSSD mediated the relationship between ventromedial prefrontal cortex cue activity and the AUDIT score. CONCLUSIONS These findings substantiate the neural correlates of the presumably parasympathetic response during alcohol cue exposure and the interrelationship among ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity, autonomic response, and problem alcohol use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wuyi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Simon Zhornitsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Thang M Le
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Chiang-Shan R Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhao M, Guan L, Wang Y. The Association of Autonomic Nervous System Function With Ischemic Stroke, and Treatment Strategies. Front Neurol 2020; 10:1411. [PMID: 32038467 PMCID: PMC6987371 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute ischemic stroke, especially minor stroke, and transient ischemic attack have high risks of recurrence and exacerbation into severe ischemic strokes. It remains challenging to perform risk stratification and screen high-risk groups for initiation of early treatment in these patients. Moreover, with the growing population of patients with chronic small vessel disease, the mechanisms and clinical implications require further investigation. Traditional tools such as the ABCD2 score (age, blood pressure, clinical features, duration of symptoms, diabetes) have only moderate predictive value in patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke. By contrast, measurement of changes in heart rate variability (HRV) is an important and novel tool for risk stratification and outcome prediction in patients with cardiovascular diseases, as it reflects the overall level of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Thus, abnormal HRV may be useful for prognosis and improve stratification of stroke patients with diverse risks. HRV may also partially explain autonomic nervous dysfunction and other manifestations during the process of chronic cerebral small vessel disease. In summary, measurement of HRV may contribute to early initiation of interventions in acute or chronic stroke patients using novel treatments involving rebalancing of autonomic nervous system function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Guan
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yilong Wang
- Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Blons E, Arsac LM, Gilfriche P, McLeod H, Lespinet-Najib V, Grivel E, Deschodt-Arsac V. Alterations in heart-brain interactions under mild stress during a cognitive task are reflected in entropy of heart rate dynamics. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18190. [PMID: 31796856 PMCID: PMC6890652 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54547-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many people experience mild stress in modern society which raises the need for an improved understanding of psychophysiological responses to stressors. Heart rate variability (HRV) may be associated with a flexible network of intricate neural structures which are dynamically organized to cope with diverse challenges. HRV was obtained in thirty-three healthy participants performing a cognitive task both with and without added stressors. Markers of neural autonomic control and neurovisceral complexity (entropy) were computed from HRV time series. Based on individual anxiety responses to the experimental stressors, two subgroups were identified: anxiety responders and non-responders. While both vagal and entropy markers rose during the cognitive task alone in both subgroups, only entropy decreased when stressors were added and exclusively in anxiety responders. We conclude that entropy may be a promising marker of cognitive tasks and acute mild stress. It brings out a new central question: why is entropy the only marker affected by mild stress? Based on the neurovisceral integration model, we hypothesized that neurophysiological complexity may be altered by mild stress, which is reflected in entropy of the cardiac output signal. The putative role of the amygdala during mild stress, in modulating the complexity of a coordinated neural network linking brain to heart, is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Blons
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire IMS, UMR 5218, Talence, France.
| | - Laurent M Arsac
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire IMS, UMR 5218, Talence, France
| | - Pierre Gilfriche
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire IMS, UMR 5218, Talence, France.,CATIE - Centre Aquitain des Technologies de l'Information et Electroniques, Talence, France
| | - Heather McLeod
- Univ. Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Psychologie, Santé et Qualité de Vie, EA4109, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Eric Grivel
- Bordeaux INP, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire IMS, UMR 5218, Talence, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Brownlow BN, Sosoo EE, Long RN, Hoggard LS, Burford TI, Hill LK. Sex Differences in the Impact of Racial Discrimination on Mental Health Among Black Americans. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2019; 21:112. [PMID: 31686220 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1098-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Greater racial discrimination is associated with poorer mental health among Black Americans; yet, there remains an incomplete understanding of sex differences in exposure to racial discrimination, and further, of how sex differences in coping with racial discrimination may heighten or diminish risk for poorer mental health. RECENT FINDINGS Black men may experience greater exposure to both structural and communal forms of racial discrimination, whereas Black women may face both a wider range of potential sources, as well as encounter greater variability in the subjective experience of racial discrimination. For both Black women and men, racial discrimination may be similarly associated with maladaptive coping strategies (i.e., emotional eating, rumination) that also are linked to poorer mental health; however, emerging findings suggest that mindfulness may partially buffer these deleterious effects. Overall, the recent literature reveals mixed findings with respect to sex differences in the experience and negative mental health impact of racial discrimination. Despite this heterogeneity, evidence documents sex differences in the settings, type, and qualitative experience of racial discrimination among Black Americans. Additionally, growing evidence indicating that racial discrimination is associated with physiological markers of stress reactivity and psychopathology risk further bolsters its characterization as a unique form of chronic stress among Black Americans and other minority groups in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Briana N Brownlow
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Effua E Sosoo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Risa N Long
- Department of Family Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Lori S Hoggard
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Tanisha I Burford
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - LaBarron K Hill
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3119, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Center for Biobehavioral Health Disparities Research, Duke University-Social Science Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3119, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Petrocchi N, Cheli S. The social brain and heart rate variability: Implications for psychotherapy. Psychol Psychother 2019; 92:208-223. [PMID: 30891894 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Humans evolved within the mammalian line as a highly social species. Indeed, sociality has been a major driver of human social intelligence. From birth, social relationships have emotional and self-regulating properties and operate through different body systems. This paper will explore how heart rate variability (HRV), an index of the vagal regulation of the heart and a central element of the physiological underpinnings of sociality, is related to mental health problems, with important implications for psychotherapy. METHODS We conducted a narrative review of the literature on the bi-directional links between prosocial motivations, HRV, and psychophysiological functioning. RESULTS HRV is associated not only with the ability to downregulate physiological arousal, but also with a variety of psychological and behavioural variables which are usually the target of psychotherapeutic interventions. A modern neurovisceral integration model can be employed to explain the complex intercorrelation between HRV and psychophysiological functioning. In particular, the link between HRV, the experience of inter- and intrapersonal safeness, and the inhibitory function of the prefrontal cortex will be explored in the context of prosocial motives, such as compassion, that alleviate and help prevent mental health difficulties. CONCLUSIONS Our knowledge of the social brain and its physiological underpinnings might influence important elements of a therapeutic intervention, from the initial assessment of patient's difficulties to the evaluation of therapy outcomes. PRACTITIONER POINTS Social relationships have emotional and self-regulating properties. The experience of inter- and intrapersonal safeness is connected to prosocial motives, such as compassion, and the inhibitory function of the prefrontal cortex. Social relationships and compassion influence different body systems, such as the vagus nerve. Many forms of psychopathology represent the activation of evolved, defensive strategies especially in contexts where there are few stimuli indicating safeness and social support. Heart rate variability predicts psychotherapy outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Petrocchi
- Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy.,Compassionate Mind Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.,Center for Psychology and Health, Tages Onlus, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Carnevali L, Mancini M, Koenig J, Makovac E, Watson DR, Meeten F, Critchley HD, Ottaviani C. Cortical morphometric predictors of autonomic dysfunction in generalized anxiety disorder. Auton Neurosci 2019; 217:41-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
41
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW In the present paper, we overview emerging research examining the autonomic nervous system (ANS), especially the parasympathetic nervous system as indexed by heart rate variability (HRV), and the impact of psychosocial factors on hypertension-related disease in African Americans. RECENT FINDINGS A growing corpus of studies has shown that (1) usual patterns of compensatory sympathetic-parasympathetic regulation differ between African Americans and European Americans; (2) despite their enhanced cardiovascular disease risk profile, African Americans tend to exhibit higher HRV relative to European Americans; and (3) racial discrimination and other forms of psychosocial stress are associated with diminished HRV among African Americans. Significant disparities in hypertension-related disease exist such that African Americans have greater risk. The underlying factors associated with this increased risk are, to date, not fully understood. The present review provides evidence for a unique pattern of ANS regulation in African Americans and shows that psychosocial factors such as racial discrimination may contribute to this paradoxical situation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- LaBarron K Hill
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Biobehavioral Health Disparities Research, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Julian F Thayer
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 175 Psychology Building, 1835 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Laird KT, Krause B, Funes C, Lavretsky H. Psychobiological factors of resilience and depression in late life. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:88. [PMID: 30765686 PMCID: PMC6375932 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0424-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to traditional perspectives of resilience as a stable, trait-like characteristic, resilience is now recognized as a multidimentional, dynamic capacity influenced by life-long interactions between internal and environmental resources. We review psychosocial and neurobiological factors associated with resilience to late-life depression (LLD). Recent research has identified both psychosocial characteristics associated with elevated LLD risk (e.g., insecure attachment, neuroticism) and psychosocial processes that may be useful intervention targets (e.g., self-efficacy, sense of purpose, coping behaviors, social support). Psychobiological factors include a variety of endocrine, genetic, inflammatory, metabolic, neural, and cardiovascular processes that bidirectionally interact to affect risk for LLD onset and course of illness. Several resilience-enhancing intervention modalities show promise for the prevention and treatment of LLD, including cognitive/psychological or mind-body (positive psychology; psychotherapy; heart rate variability biofeedback; meditation), movement-based (aerobic exercise; yoga; tai chi), and biological approaches (pharmacotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy). Additional research is needed to further elucidate psychosocial and biological factors that affect risk and course of LLD. In addition, research to identify psychobiological factors predicting differential treatment response to various interventions will be essential to the development of more individualized and effective approaches to the prevention and treatment of LLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey T Laird
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Beatrix Krause
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia Funes
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Helen Lavretsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Koenig J, Westlund Schreiner M, Klimes-Dougan B, Ubani B, Mueller B, Kaess M, Cullen KR. Brain structural thickness and resting state autonomic function in adolescents with major depression. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2019; 13:741-753. [PMID: 29939340 PMCID: PMC6121146 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with abnormalities in cortical thickness and autonomic function. Adolescence is a time notable for brain development and MDD onset. In healthy adolescents, greater resting state vagal activity (RVA) is associated with lower cortical thickness. The relationship between brain structural thickness and RVA in adolescents with MDD has not previously been studied. This secondary analysis drew on a sample of 37 non-depressed controls and 53 adolescents with MDD. Resting state heart rate and two indices of RVA (HF-HRV and RMSSD) were recorded during a neuroimaging session. Cortical thickness within fronto-limbic regions of interest was measured using Freesurfer analysis of T1-weighted high-resolution structural images. Self-reports of depression severity showed a significant interaction with cortical thickness of the right insula in predicting RMSSD [t = 2.22, P=0.030, β = 5.44; model fit of the interaction term as indicated by the ‘Bayes Factor’ (BF): 7.58] and HF-HRV (t = 2.09, P=0.041, β = 4.72; BF: 7.94). Clinician ratings of depression severity showed further interactions. Findings underscore the important relationships between RVA and cortical development, suggesting two possible explanations: (i) in adolescent MDD, greater fronto-limbic thickness is compensatory for deficits in autonomic regulation or (ii) increased autonomic arousal results in delayed fronto-limbic maturation. Longitudinal research is necessary to further clarify the nature of the relationship between autonomic functioning and cortical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Koenig
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern 60, Switzerland
| | | | - Bonnie Klimes-Dougan
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Benjamin Ubani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bryon Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Michael Kaess
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern 60, Switzerland
| | - Kathryn R Cullen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Koenig J, Westlund Schreiner M, Klimes-Dougan B, Ubani B, Mueller BA, Lim KO, Kaess M, Cullen KR. Increases in orbitofrontal cortex thickness following antidepressant treatment are associated with changes in resting state autonomic function in adolescents with major depression - Preliminary findings from a pilot study. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2018; 281:35-42. [PMID: 30216863 PMCID: PMC6204080 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In adults with major depressive disorder (MDD), effective treatment has been associated with increases in both heart rate variability (HRV) and cortical thickness. However, the impact of treatment on these indices has not yet been examined in adolescents. Cortical thickness and HRV were measured in twelve adolescents with MDD before and after 8 weeks of treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). We examined treatment-related changes in depression symptoms, HRV, heart rate (HR), and cortical thickness, and analyzed correlations among these change indices. At follow-up, patients showed significantly decreased depression severity, increased HRV and increased thickness of the left medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Clinical improvement was associated with increased HRV and decreased HR. Increased HRV was associated with increased cortical thickness of left lateral OFC and superior frontal cortex. Due to the small sample size, results represent preliminary findings that need replication. Further, in the absence of a placebo arm, we cannot confirm that the observed effects are due solely to medication. These preliminary findings suggest that SSRI treatment in adolescents impacts both cortical thickness and autonomic functioning. Confirmation of these findings would support OFC thickness and HRV as neurobiological mediators of treatment outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Koenig
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Stöckli, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000, Bern 60, Switzerland; Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Blumenstr. 8, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Melinda Westlund Schreiner
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bonnie Klimes-Dougan
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Benjamin Ubani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Medical School, F256/2B West Building, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bryon A Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Medical School, F256/2B West Building, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kelvin O Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Medical School, F256/2B West Building, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Stöckli, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000, Bern 60, Switzerland; Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Blumenstr. 8, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kathryn R Cullen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Medical School, F256/2B West Building, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ask TF, Lugo RG, Sütterlin S. The Neuro-Immuno-Senescence Integrative Model (NISIM) on the Negative Association Between Parasympathetic Activity and Cellular Senescence. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:726. [PMID: 30369866 PMCID: PMC6194361 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that accumulated senescent cells drive age-related pathologies, but the antecedents to the cellular stressors that induce senescence remain poorly understood. Previous research suggests that there is a relationship between shorter telomere length, an antecedent to cellular senescence, and psychological stress. Existing models do not sufficiently account for the specific pathways from which psychological stress regulation is converted into production of reactive oxygen species. We propose the neuro-immuno-senescence integrative model (NISIM) suggesting how vagally mediated heart rate variability (HRV) might be related to cellular senescence. Prefrontally modulated, and vagally mediated cortical influences on the autonomic nervous system, expressed as HRV, affects the immune system by adrenergic stimulation and cholinergic inhibition of cytokine production in macrophages and neutrophils. Previous findings indicate that low HRV is associated with increased production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. IL-6 and TNF-α can activate the NFκB pathway, increasing production of reactive oxygen species that can cause DNA damage. Vagally mediated HRV has been related to an individual's ability to regulate stress, and is lower in people with shorter telomeres. Based on these previous findings, the NISIM suggest that the main pathway from psychological stress to individual differences in oxidative telomere damage originates in the neuroanatomical components that modulate HRV, and culminates in the cytokine-induced activation of NFκB. Accumulated senescent cells in the brain is hypothesized to promote age-related neurodegenerative disease, and previous reports suggest an association between low HRV and onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Accumulating senescent cells in peripheral tissues secreting senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors can alter tissue structure and function which can induce cancer and promote tumor growth and metastasis in old age, and previous research suggested that ability to regulate psychological stress has a negative association with cancer onset. We therefore conclude that the NISIM can account for a large proportion of the individual differences in the psychological stress-related antecedents to cellular senescence, and suggest that it can be useful in providing a dynamic framework for understanding the pathways by which psychological stress induce pathologies in old age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Torvald F. Ask
- Research Group on Cognition, Health, and Performance, Institute of Psychology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Ricardo G. Lugo
- Research Group on Cognition, Health, and Performance, Institute of Psychology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Stefan Sütterlin
- Faculty of Health and Welfare Sciences, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Carnevali L, Koenig J, Sgoifo A, Ottaviani C. Autonomic and Brain Morphological Predictors of Stress Resilience. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:228. [PMID: 29681793 PMCID: PMC5897537 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Stressful life events are an important cause of psychopathology. Humans exposed to aversive or stressful experiences show considerable inter-individual heterogeneity in their responses. However, the majority does not develop stress-related psychiatric disorders. The dynamic processes encompassing positive and functional adaptation in the face of significant adversity have been broadly defined as resilience. Traditionally, the assessment of resilience has been confined to self-report measures, both within the general community and putative high-risk populations. Although this approach has value, it is highly susceptible to subjective bias and may not capture the dynamic nature of resilience, as underlying construct. Recognizing the obvious benefits of more objective measures of resilience, research in the field has just started investigating the predictive value of several potential biological markers. This review provides an overview of theoretical views and empirical evidence suggesting that individual differences in heart rate variability (HRV), a surrogate index of resting cardiac vagal outflow, may underlie different levels of resilience toward the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Following this line of thought, recent studies describing associations between regional brain morphometric characteristics and resting state vagally-mediated HRV are summarized. Existing studies suggest that the structural morphology of the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC), particularly its cortical thickness, is implicated in the expression of individual differences in HRV. These findings are discussed in light of emerging structural neuroimaging research, linking morphological characteristics of the ACC to psychological traits ascribed to a high-resilient profile and abnormal structural integrity of the ACC to the psychophysiological expression of stress-related mental health consequences. We conclude that a multidisciplinary approach integrating brain structural imaging with HRV monitoring could offer novel perspectives about brain-body pathways in resilience and adaptation to psychological stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Carnevali
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Julian Koenig
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Sgoifo
- Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Ottaviani
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Mather M, Thayer J. How heart rate variability affects emotion regulation brain networks. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2018; 19:98-104. [PMID: 29333483 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2017.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with high heart rate variability tend to have better emotional well-being than those with low heart rate variability, but the mechanisms of this association are not yet clear. In this paper, we propose the novel hypothesis that by inducing oscillatory activity in the brain, high amplitude oscillations in heart rate enhance functional connectivity in brain networks associated with emotion regulation. Recent studies using daily biofeedback sessions to increase the amplitude of heart rate oscillations suggest that high amplitude physiological oscillations have a causal impact on emotional well-being. Because blood flow timing helps determine brain network structure and function, slow oscillations in heart rate have the potential to strengthen brain network dynamics, especially in medial prefrontal regulatory regions that are particularly sensitive to physiological oscillations.
Collapse
|
48
|
Mather M, Joo Yoo H, Clewett DV, Lee TH, Greening SG, Ponzio A, Min J, Thayer JF. Higher locus coeruleus MRI contrast is associated with lower parasympathetic influence over heart rate variability. Neuroimage 2017; 150:329-335. [PMID: 28215623 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The locus coeruleus (LC) is a key node of the sympathetic nervous system and suppresses parasympathetic activity that would otherwise increase heart rate variability. In the current study, we examined whether LC-MRI contrast reflecting neuromelanin accumulation in the LC was associated with high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), a measure reflecting parasympathetic influences on the heart. Recent evidence indicates that neuromelanin, a byproduct of catecholamine metabolism, accumulates in the LC through young and mid adulthood, suggesting that LC-MRI contrast may be a useful biomarker of individual differences in habitual LC activation. We found that, across younger and older adults, greater LC-MRI contrast was negatively associated with HF-HRV during fear conditioning and spatial detection tasks. This correlation was not accounted for by individual differences in age or anxiety. These findings indicate that individual differences in LC structure relate to key cardiovascular parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mara Mather
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Hyun Joo Yoo
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - David V Clewett
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Tae-Ho Lee
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Steven G Greening
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Allison Ponzio
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jungwon Min
- Emotion and Cognition Lab, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Julian F Thayer
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|