The organism adapts to current demands via communication between the central (CNS) and autonomic (ANS) nervous systems which is achieved through complex and hierarchically organized neural processing. Before reaching the higher-order cortical regions representing the affective states, organ-specific information from sympathetic and parasympathetic afferents is integrated at different levels of brain organization. The top-down influences on the ANS critically depend on the accurate perception of interoceptive signals and correct predictive coding. Neurovisceral integration underlies the regulation of peripheral physiology, cognitive performance, and emotional/physical health. Central-autonomic miscommunication leads to various pathological conditions, such as, among others, anxiety disorder in the case of sympathetic hyperactivation. The Neurovisceral Integration Model explains how the bidirectional communication between CNS and ANS provides the adaptive response.
The brainstem noradrenergic nucleus Locus Coeruleus (LC) is one of the key nodes within the central autonomic network. The LC is bidirectionally connected to both the autonomic nuclei and forebrain regions, including the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, that exert top-down regulation of the ANS. The LC activation results in a characteristic pattern of autonomic changes consistent with increased sympathetic tonus and vagal withdrawal. The control of arousal and autonomic function is thus inseparably linked, largely via the involvement of the LC. The LC has been identified as a key mediator of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which is being used increasingly as a treatment for conditions such as epilepsy, depression, inflammation, somatosensory rehabilitation, and also as a technique for cognitive enhancement.
The CNS-ANS communication is reflected in the heart rate variability (HRV). Higher HRV corresponds to vagal/parasympathetic tonus and correlates with better physical health, emotion regulation, and cognitive control. Higher HRV also indexes glucose regulation, hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary (HPA) axis function, inflammation, and reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. Lower HRV has been associated with affective disorders such as depression and anxiety. Thus, this non-invasive tool has the potential for a broader clinical application.
This article collection aims to update and advance current views on the relationship between the body, emotion, and cognition. Besides the values of new fundamental knowledge, we highlight the importance of the body-brain interaction for mental and physical health. The development of new diagnostic methods and improving the analysis of the existing measurements, like the HRV, will make the clinical application of biomarkers of the ANS activity more reliable and increase their predictive power for therapeutic effectiveness. Finally, the influence of cognitive factors like learning, perception, or attention on the ANS in association with neural plasticity shall help correct various pathological states.
In this Research Topic, we are looking to address key aspects of body-brain communication to promote discussion around this topic and to increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of affective disorders. The special focus is on the biomarkers of the ANS activity and the methods for ANS modulation. Theoretical and computational modeling help the emergence of testable hypotheses and inquiry for future experimental research.
We welcome submission of Original Research, Review, Methods, and Perspective articles on the following sub-topics:
• mechanisms of self-regulation and adaptability of the organism
• functional connectivity within the central autonomic network
• interoception and cognitive control
• the locus coeruleus and autonomic function
• vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and modulation of brain activity
• memory- and plasticity-enhancing effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• understanding the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• the locus coeruleus (LC) as a mediator of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• the state-of-the-art and the perspectives in methodological approaches to investigate the locus coeruleus organization and function
• inputs to the locus coeruleus and link to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders
• psychosomatics and psychopathology
• heart rate variability (HRV) as a diagnostic tool for psychiatric conditions
• heart rate variability (HRV) as a biofeedback to promote cognitive enhancement
• neurobiological basis for individual differences in the vagal regulation
• computational models of the central-autonomic control
Keywords:
HRV, locus cerules, psychopathology, psychiatric conditions, CNS, ANS, visceral functions, cognition, VNS
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The organism adapts to current demands via communication between the central (CNS) and autonomic (ANS) nervous systems which is achieved through complex and hierarchically organized neural processing. Before reaching the higher-order cortical regions representing the affective states, organ-specific information from sympathetic and parasympathetic afferents is integrated at different levels of brain organization. The top-down influences on the ANS critically depend on the accurate perception of interoceptive signals and correct predictive coding. Neurovisceral integration underlies the regulation of peripheral physiology, cognitive performance, and emotional/physical health. Central-autonomic miscommunication leads to various pathological conditions, such as, among others, anxiety disorder in the case of sympathetic hyperactivation. The Neurovisceral Integration Model explains how the bidirectional communication between CNS and ANS provides the adaptive response.
The brainstem noradrenergic nucleus Locus Coeruleus (LC) is one of the key nodes within the central autonomic network. The LC is bidirectionally connected to both the autonomic nuclei and forebrain regions, including the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, that exert top-down regulation of the ANS. The LC activation results in a characteristic pattern of autonomic changes consistent with increased sympathetic tonus and vagal withdrawal. The control of arousal and autonomic function is thus inseparably linked, largely via the involvement of the LC. The LC has been identified as a key mediator of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which is being used increasingly as a treatment for conditions such as epilepsy, depression, inflammation, somatosensory rehabilitation, and also as a technique for cognitive enhancement.
The CNS-ANS communication is reflected in the heart rate variability (HRV). Higher HRV corresponds to vagal/parasympathetic tonus and correlates with better physical health, emotion regulation, and cognitive control. Higher HRV also indexes glucose regulation, hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary (HPA) axis function, inflammation, and reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. Lower HRV has been associated with affective disorders such as depression and anxiety. Thus, this non-invasive tool has the potential for a broader clinical application.
This article collection aims to update and advance current views on the relationship between the body, emotion, and cognition. Besides the values of new fundamental knowledge, we highlight the importance of the body-brain interaction for mental and physical health. The development of new diagnostic methods and improving the analysis of the existing measurements, like the HRV, will make the clinical application of biomarkers of the ANS activity more reliable and increase their predictive power for therapeutic effectiveness. Finally, the influence of cognitive factors like learning, perception, or attention on the ANS in association with neural plasticity shall help correct various pathological states.
In this Research Topic, we are looking to address key aspects of body-brain communication to promote discussion around this topic and to increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of affective disorders. The special focus is on the biomarkers of the ANS activity and the methods for ANS modulation. Theoretical and computational modeling help the emergence of testable hypotheses and inquiry for future experimental research.
We welcome submission of Original Research, Review, Methods, and Perspective articles on the following sub-topics:
• mechanisms of self-regulation and adaptability of the organism
• functional connectivity within the central autonomic network
• interoception and cognitive control
• the locus coeruleus and autonomic function
• vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and modulation of brain activity
• memory- and plasticity-enhancing effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• understanding the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• the locus coeruleus (LC) as a mediator of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• the state-of-the-art and the perspectives in methodological approaches to investigate the locus coeruleus organization and function
• inputs to the locus coeruleus and link to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders
• psychosomatics and psychopathology
• heart rate variability (HRV) as a diagnostic tool for psychiatric conditions
• heart rate variability (HRV) as a biofeedback to promote cognitive enhancement
• neurobiological basis for individual differences in the vagal regulation
• computational models of the central-autonomic control
Keywords:
HRV, locus cerules, psychopathology, psychiatric conditions, CNS, ANS, visceral functions, cognition, VNS
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.