Exteroceptive stimuli override interoceptive state in reaction time control

Abstract

The processing of reaction time (RT) stimulus is modulated by its timing relative to the cardiac cycle. RT stimulus processing is also influenced by task-irrelevant stimuli: a sensory stimulus speeds RT when it accompanies a cue to react in another sensory modality. Different theories have been proposed to explain this accessory stimulus effect (ASE). However, it is unclear whether the ASE interacts with the cardiac timing effect. In the present study, the relationship of the ASE, cardiac timing, and stimulus valence was examined. Fifty-two subjects performed 400 trials of a simple RT task. Images of neutral and fear faces served as visual accessory stimuli; the RT stimulus was a 75 dB tone. Electrocardiography was recorded. Visual and auditory stimuli were presented at either cardiac systole or diastole. The stimulus onset asynchrony between visual and auditory stimuli was either 0 or 75 ms. Repeated measures ANOVAs showed that cardiac timing modulated RT, but only when accessory stimuli were absent. RT was shorter when the accessory stimulus preceded the imperative stimulus with respect to simultaneous presentation. The ASE was not influenced by visual stimulus valence or cardiac timing. Results indicate that the ASE overrides cardiac timing effects, suggesting a dynamic balance between exteroceptive stimuli and interoceptive states, and highlight the importance of embodied information processing.

Active information sampling varies across the cardiac cycle

“…This suggests that-at least in our study-the influence of externally induced emotional arousal states (e.g., by seeing an upsetting negative picture) on memory formation (Tambini et al, 2017) might have exceeded a transient cognitive modulation across the cardiac cycle (Garfinkel et al, 2013). Such reasoning is further supported by a recent study showing that interoceptive cardiac signals can easily be overshadowed by external stimuli or other task-specific influences (Yang, Jennings, & Friedman, 2017). Although in our study stimulus content was largely matched along several dimensions (physical image statistics and more high-level features), differences in stimulus features may still account for variation in memory effects associated with the cardiac cycle.…”

Cardiac timing and threatening stimuli influence response inhibition and ex‐Gaussian parameters of reaction time in a Go/No‐go task

“…Baroreflex sensitivity is reduced during psychological stressors (Gianaros et al, 2012), suggesting that task‐evoked reduction in baroreceptor functioning may suppress cardiac cycle time effects on information processing. Consistent with this notion, cardiac cycle time effects on simple RTs were found to disappear when concurrent, task‐irrelevant intersensory stimuli, or accessory stimuli , were presented during RT trials (Yang et al, 2017). The authors interpreted these results as the inhibition of the neuromodulatory effect of baroreceptor afferents by accessory stimulation.…”

“…In the neutral and fearful conditions, the face images were presented at R + 105 ms or R + 405 ms, and GNG stimuli were presented 75 ms after the onset of visual stimuli, namely, at either R + 180 ms or R + 480 ms (see Figure 1). The 75‐ms onset asynchrony was used to synchronize the offset of GNG and visual stimuli (Yang et al, 2017). The timing of stimulus presentation was chosen based on prior studies (e.g., Edwards et al, 2009; Schulz et al, 2009).…”

“…Because ex‐Gaussian parameters are associated with different processing stages, cardiac timing may differentially influence those parameters. For instance, μ , indicating response speed, may be prolonged during cardiac systole (Edwards et al, 2007; Yang et al, 2017). Furthermore, τ was reported to be negatively associated with blood pressure elevation (Wawrzyniak et al, 2016) and vagal withdrawal (i.e., lower HRV levels) during cognitive tasks (Spangler et al, 2021), suggesting that increased task‐evoked cardiovascular activation is linked to lower τ .…”

Body as first teacher: The role of rhythmic visceral dynamics in early cognitive development

“…during the diastolic period in which the heart is relaxing and refilling with blood). Early reports that sensorimotor processing is facilitated during diastole relative to systole (Birren et al, 1963;Callaway & Layne, 1964;Saari & Pappas, 1976;Sandman et al, 1977;Walker & Sandman, 1982) have been replicated and elaborated in more recent years (Edwards et al, 2007;McIntyre et al, 2007;Quelhas Martins et al, 2014;Stewart et al, 2006;Yang et al, 2017). Furthermore, evidence that certain cognitive functions are enhanced (Fiacconi et al, 2016;Pramme et al, 2014Pramme et al, , 20166 To adapt a more general argument from Clark (2008a), although the experience of bodily selfconsciousness might require that some body is inserted within the sensorimotor loops mediating interactions between my brain and my environment, these studies seem to indicate that it needn't be my body in particular, nor indeed one very much like it.…”