Heartbeat perception is causally linked to frontal delta oscillations

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Physiology

Background:

• Interoception, the perception of internal bodily signals like heartbeats, is vital for health but its neurophysiological basis is unclear.
• Previous research suggests a link between cardiac rhythms and frontal brain activity, specifically delta oscillations (0.5-4 Hz).
• The causal relationship between frontal delta oscillations and heartbeat perception has not been established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal role of frontal delta oscillations in heartbeat perception.
• To determine if manipulating frontal delta oscillations affects the accuracy of heartbeat detection.

Main Methods:

• Identified a frontal network of delta oscillations correlated with heartbeat perception and evoked brain responses.
• Utilized amplitude-modulated transcranial alternating current stimulation (AM-tACS) to enhance or suppress frontal delta oscillations.
• Assessed changes in heartbeat detection accuracy following AM-tACS interventions.

Main Results:

• Enhancing frontal delta phase synchrony significantly impaired heartbeat detection accuracy.
• Suppressing frontal delta phase synchrony significantly improved heartbeat detection accuracy.
• Demonstrated a causal link between frontal delta oscillations and the precision of heartbeat perception.

Conclusions:

• Frontal delta oscillations are a key neurophysiological mechanism underlying heartbeat perception.
• Targeting frontal delta oscillations offers a potential avenue for therapeutic interventions in interoceptive disorders.
• This study provides a foundation for further causal investigations into interoception.