High vagally mediated resting-state heart rate variability is associated with superior working memory function

Abstract

BackgroundHeart rate variability (HRV), a cardiac vagal tone indicator, has been proven to predict performance on some cognitive tasks that rely on the prefrontal cortex. However, the relationship between vagal tone and working memory remains understudied. This study explores the link between vagal tone and working memory function, combined with behavioral tasks and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).MethodsA total of 42 undergraduate students were tested for 5-min resting-state HRV to obtain the root mean square of successive differences (rMSSD) data, and then divided into high and low vagal tone groups according to the median of rMSSD data. The two groups underwent the n-back test, and fNIRS was used to measure the neural activity in the test state. ANOVA and the independent sample t-test were performed to compare group mean differences, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis.ResultsThe high vagal tone group had a shorter reaction time, higher accuracy, lower inverse efficiency score, and lower oxy-Hb concentration in the bilateral prefrontal cortex in the working memory tasks state. Furthermore, there were associations between behavioral performance, oxy-Hb concentration, and resting-state rMSSD.ConclusionOur findings suggest that high vagally mediated resting-state HRV is associated with working memory performance. High vagal tone means a higher efficiency of neural resources, beneficial to presenting a better working memory function.

Insight and non-insight problem solving: A heart rate variability study

“…These studies illustrate that trait vmHRV is positively associated with cognitive outcomes. A recent study by Zeng et al (2023) has further substantiated these findings by demonstrating that increased performance of individuals with high resting-state vmHRV on a WM task was related to higher efficiency in regulating neural resources in the prefrontal cortex, as compared with their lower vmHRV peers. From a resource -dependent perspective, vmHRV reactivity during task performance and vmHRV rebound during a post-task recovery period are indices used to represent prefrontal resource consumption.…”

In-game Heart Rate Variability in Habitual University Student League of Legends Players: Correlations with In-game Performance, Game Rank and Internet Addiction Scale

“…The negative correlation between HF and ranking score suggests that players with higher ranks and, therefore, higher levels of expertise in LOL, have relatively lower in-game parasympathetic activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that subjects with high vagally-mediated HRV/parasympathetic tone at rest often have superior behavioral performance in cognitive tasks assessing working memory and executive control (Magnon et al, 2022;Zeng et al, 2023) as well as in real-world tasks such as chess playing (Beffara et al, 2016;Fuentes-Garcia et al, 2019b). Top players in LOL are known to have better impulsive/interference control and cognitive exibility relative to average players (Li et al, 2020).…”

Пос Ттравматичний Стресовий Розлад, Метаболічний Синдром І Вег Етативна Нервова Система

“…Результати низки метааналізів свідчать, що функціональний стан ВРС у пацієнтів із ПТСР пригнічений [75,88]. RMSSD, HF-компонент спектра ВРС і парасимпатична (вагусна) активність взаємопов'язані [89]. Метааналіз із використанням моделі випадкових ефектів продемонстрував, що у хворих із ПТСР спостерігається значно вища ЧСС, а також показники співвідношення середніх значень низькочастотної (LF) та HF-компоненти (LF/HF) спектру ВРС.…”