Heart Rate Variability, Prefrontal Neural Function, and Cognitive Performance: The Neurovisceral Integration Perspective on Self-regulation, Adaptation, and Health

• DOI: 10.1007/s12160-009-9101-z
• Publication Date: 2009-05-07T15:59:36Z
• Authors: Julian F. Thayer; Anita L. Hansen; Evelyn Saus-Rose; Bjorn Helge Johnsen
• Keywords: Health psychology

In the present paper, we describe a model of neurovisceral integration in which set neural structures involved cognitive, affective, and autonomic regulation are related to heart rate variability (HRV) cognitive performance.We detail pathways cardiovascular system provide pharmacological neuroimaging data support linking central nervous HRV humans. We review number studies from our group showing that individual differences performance on tasks associated with executive function prefrontal cortical activity. These include comparisons executive- nonexecutive-function healthy participants, both threatening nonthreatening conditions. addition, show manipulating resting levels is changes executive-function tasks. also examine relationship between ecologically valid situations using police shooting simulation naval navigation simulation. Finally, anxiety patients, as well examining psychopathy.These findings total suggest an important among performance, HRV, has implications for physical mental health. Future needed determine exactly functions wider range populations.