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Reduced baroreflex cardiac sensitivity predicts increased cognitive performance
Author(s) -
Yasumasu Tomiya,
Reyes del Paso Gustavo A.,
Takahara Kazuo,
Nakashima Yasuhide
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2006.00377.x
Subject(s) - psychology , baroreflex , sensitivity (control systems) , cognition , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , audiology , cardiology , cognitive psychology , medicine , neuroscience , heart rate , blood pressure , electronic engineering , engineering
This study evaluated the relationship between baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and cognitive performance. Twenty normal subjects performed the Uchida–Kraepelin test, a serial arithmetic task. Baroreceptor reflex sensitivity during a 5‐min Uchida–Kraepelin test was assessed in minute periods by spectral analysis using the maximum‐entropy method. During the task, baroreceptor reflex sensitivity was significantly reduced. There was an inverse between‐subjects association between baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and the level of performance (number of additions completed) both at different time periods of the Uchida–Kraepelin test and during the whole task ( r =−.51). This finding supports the existence of a pathway mediating mutual cardiovascular–central nervous system influences through the baroreceptors, establishing an essential mechanism facilitating adaptive reactions to stressful conditions.