Response inhibition is disrupted by interoceptive processing at cardiac systole

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Autonomic Nervous System Research

Background:

• Response inhibition is crucial for goal-directed behavior.
• The influence of internal bodily signals (interoception) on cognitive functions like inhibition is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of cardiac signals on behavioral and electrophysiological measures of response inhibition.
• To determine if the timing of stop signals relative to the cardiac cycle affects inhibitory control.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a stop-signal task where electrocardiogram (ECG) signals controlled event timing.
• Measured behavioral outcomes (stop-signal reaction time) and electrophysiological responses (P3 amplitude, heartbeat evoked potentials).

Main Results:

• Stop signals presented during cardiac systole led to prolonged stop-signal reaction times.
• Reduced P3 amplitudes and increased heartbeat evoked potential amplitudes were observed during systole presentation.
• These cardiac-related effects were independent of the emotional valence of the stop signal.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral autonomic cardiac signals impede response inhibition.
• Timing stop signals with cardiac systole may shift attention towards interoception, impairing inhibitory control.
• Findings elucidate the role of interoceptive signals in modulating inhibitory processes.