Functional Connectivity Within the Central Autonomic Network Increases During Resonance Paced Breathing at 0.1 Hz

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Autonomic Nervous System Research
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Respiration, typically automatic, can be volitionally controlled, impacting autonomic and central nervous systems.
• Resonance paced breathing (RPB), at ~6 breaths/min, engages the baroreflex resonance frequency, yielding health benefits like reduced stress and improved cardiovascular function.
• While RPB's physiological effects are known, its real-time impact on brain functional connectivity remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in functional connectivity within the central autonomic network during RPB compared to natural breathing.
• To identify specific brain regions and networks modulated by slow breathing interventions.
• To explore the neural mechanisms underlying RPB's effects on arousal and emotional regulation.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to scan 147 participants (with or without depression/substance use disorder) during natural breathing and RPB.
• Connectivity was analyzed between 13 predefined regions-of-interest (ROIs) in the central autonomic network.
• Statistical analysis employed linear mixed modeling with adaptive false discovery rate correction.

Main Results:

• RPB significantly increased functional connectivity between multiple ROIs of the central autonomic network compared to natural breathing.
• Ten out of 15 significantly connected ROI pairs involved subdivisions of the insula.
• This suggests the insular cortex plays a crucial role in integrating visceral, cognitive, and emotional information.

Conclusions:

• RPB enhances functional connectivity within the central autonomic network, particularly involving the insula.
• The findings support the insula's role in integrating bodily sensations with higher-level cognitive and emotional processing.
• Understanding these neural interdependencies can inform the development of novel interventions for disorders involving arousal modulation challenges.