Connection between Emotion, Brain Lateralization, and Heart Rate Variability

摘要

The central nervous system (CNS) is involved in the pathways linking emotions to autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity. The connection between CNS and ANS activity during emotions may explain the increased risk of cardiovascular events during highly arousing emotional states. The present study investigated 20 participants (55% female) during happiness and anger recall tasks and a stress-inducing Stroop color word task. ANS reactivity was evaluated using heart rate variability analysis, and CNS reactivity was evaluated using frontal alpha frequency band electroencephalograph (EEG). Increases in positive emotions during the happiness recall were associated with increased high frequency HRV (parasympathetic activation) as well as increased left frontal brain lateralization. Negative emotions during the Stroop task were associated with an increased low/high frequency ratio (LF/HF; sympathovagal balance). The level of emotional responsiveness was the primary predictor of HRV, whereas EEG lateralization was not related to HRV.