Programming or inhibiting action: evidence for differential autonomic nervous system response patterns

In the general context of decision-making analysis, the aim of this study was to investigate autonomic nervous system activity when movement execution is inhibited just before onset. Using a 'Go/NoGo' paradigm, 16 subjects (nine males and seven females) had to intercept green table-tennis balls thrown by a robot, with the inner side of their hand and by arm extension. Conversely, they had to inhibit movement programming when a red ball was thrown. Results were displayed in terms of success or failure in view of the aim of each trial. Electrodermal, thermo-vascular and cardio-respiratory parameters were continuously recorded from the non-dominant hand. Results showed that the duration of autonomic responses was significantly longer in action than in inhibition. Temperature responses were negative but significantly more marked in action. Instantaneous respiratory frequency amplitude responses were positive in both action and inhibition conditions, but higher in action. Instantaneous heart rate responses confirmed that inhibition elicits cardiac deceleration. Autonomic responses were shown capable of distinguishing action from inhibition, thus reflecting central nervous system functioning. Results are discussed in terms of autonomic response specificity.