Distinct Brain Systems Support Afferent and Efferent Autonomic Activity
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Brain activity and heart rate variability (HRV) form a feedback loop, with aging altering this autonomic nervous system coordination. Specific brain regions process incoming (afferent) and outgoing (efferent) signals, influencing HRV.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Brain correlates of autonomic activity are known, but their afferent/efferent roles are unclear.
- The impact of emotion and aging on brain-autonomic coordination needs further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the afferent and efferent nature of brain-autonomic interactions.
- To explore how emotion and aging influence brain-heart rate variability (HRV) coordination.
Main Methods:
- Utilized time-varying heart rate variability (HRV) and blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data.
- Analyzed data from younger (N=104) and older (N=51) adult cohorts during rest and emotion regulation tasks.
- Employed Granger causality analysis to infer information flow direction between brain regions.
Main Results:
- Insular and cingulate activity negatively correlated with HRV during emotion regulation.
- Afferent regions (posterior insula, postcentral gyrus, frontal pole) showed decreased HRV associated with increased BOLD activity.
- Efferent regions (anterior insula, cingulate) showed increased activity associated with increased HRV.
- Afferent brain activity Granger-predicted efferent activity, suggesting a feedback loop.
- Aging altered the overlap between afferent and efferent regions, with greater overlap in older adults.
Conclusions:
- A feedback loop exists where HRV influences brain activity in distinct afferent and efferent regions.
- This brain-autonomic coordination system is modulated by emotion and significantly affected by aging.
- Age-related changes in brain-autonomic coordination may involve altered functional overlap between afferent and efferent pathways.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Functional Divisions of the Nervous System
The nervous system, responsible for sensing, integrating, and responding to various stimuli, is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS has two functional divisions: the sensory or afferent division and the motor or efferent division.
The sensory division transmits information from sensory receptors in the body to the CNS. It provides the CNS with knowledge about somatic senses (such as tactile, thermal, pain, and proprioceptive sensations)...
The sensory division transmits information from sensory receptors in the body to the CNS. It provides the CNS with knowledge about somatic senses (such as tactile, thermal, pain, and proprioceptive sensations)...
01:26Autonomic Nervous System: Overview
The human nervous system is divided into two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS contains nerve cells, clusters of nerve cells, and the sensory receptors that are outside the CNS. The PNS has two types of nerve cells: sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent). Sensory cells send signals to the CNS from receptors, and motor cells carry signals from the CNS to organs, muscles, and...
01:22Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a critical component of the peripheral nervous system, primarily responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. It functions in tandem with the central nervous system (CNS) to seamlessly coordinate various physiological processes without the need for conscious control.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These divisions function antagonistically to maintain a dynamic...
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These divisions function antagonistically to maintain a dynamic...
01:21Nervous System
The nervous system coordinates body functions through its complex network of nerve cells, enabling sensation and movement. It is divided into two primary parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain acts as the body's control center, processing sensory information and coordinating responses. The spinal cord functions as a major signaling pathway for the brain and the rest of the body.
Extending...
Extending...
01:13Organization of the Nervous System
The nervous system is one of the most complex systems in our body. It is organized into two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, houses billions of neurons. The brain is housed in the skull, while the spinal cord is linked to the brain through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone and is surrounded by the protective structure of the vertebral column. It is responsible for processing various...
The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, houses billions of neurons. The brain is housed in the skull, while the spinal cord is linked to the brain through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone and is surrounded by the protective structure of the vertebral column. It is responsible for processing various...
01:13Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation
The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...