Central and autonomic nervous system integration in emotion

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Physiology

Background:

• Emotions are intrinsically linked to physiological changes.
• The brain plays a crucial role in regulating these emotional responses.
• Understanding the interplay between the central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) is key to comprehending emotional processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review empirical literature on the central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity during emotional states.
• To focus on studies that simultaneously measured both CNS and ANS responses.
• To synthesize findings regarding the neurovisceral integration in emotion.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of empirical studies.
• Analysis of research simultaneously assessing central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity.
• Integration of findings within a neurovisceral model.

Main Results:

• Numerous cortical and subcortical brain regions exhibit concurrent activity with autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses during emotional states.
• Evidence suggests potential reversed asymmetries in central nervous system (CNS)/autonomic nervous system (ANS) interrelations at cortical and subcortical levels.
• The findings support a model of neurovisceral integration in emotion.

Conclusions:

• The brain and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are closely interconnected during emotional experiences.
• Specific patterns of brain activity and ANS responses characterize different emotional states.
• A neurovisceral integration model provides a framework for understanding emotion regulation and its neural underpinnings.