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Annals of Behavioral Medicine

, Volume 37, Issue 2, pp 141–153 | Cite as

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

  • Julian F. Thayer
  • Anita L. Hansen
  • Evelyn Saus-Rose
  • Bjorn Helge Johnsen
Original Article
First Online:
Received:

Abstract

Background

In the present paper, we describe a model of neurovisceral integration in which a set of neural structures involved in cognitive, affective, and autonomic regulation are related to heart rate variability (HRV) and cognitive performance.

Methods

We detail the pathways involved in the neural regulation of the cardiovascular system and provide pharmacological and neuroimaging data in support of the neural structures linking the central nervous system to HRV in humans. We review a number of studies from our group showing that individual differences in HRV are related to performance on tasks associated with executive function and prefrontal cortical activity. These studies include comparisons of executive- and nonexecutive-function tasks in healthy participants, in both threatening and nonthreatening conditions. In addition, we show that manipulating resting HRV levels is associated with changes in performance on executive-function tasks. We also examine the relationship between HRV and cognitive performance in ecologically valid situations using a police shooting simulation and a naval navigation simulation. Finally, we review our studies in anxiety patients, as well as studies examining psychopathy.

Conclusion

These findings in total suggest an important relationship among cognitive performance, HRV, and prefrontal neural function that has important implications for both physical and mental health. Future studies are needed to determine exactly which executive functions are associated with individual differences in HRV in a wider range of situations and populations.

Keywords

Executive function Prefrontal Heart rate variability Cognition Health 
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© The Society of Behavioral Medicine 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Julian F. Thayer
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
  • Anita L. Hansen
    • 3
  • Evelyn Saus-Rose
    • 3
  • Bjorn Helge Johnsen
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of PsychologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusUSA
  2. 2.Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Mannheim Medical FacultyHeidelberg UniversityMannheimGermany
  3. 3.University of BergenBergenNorway

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