From psychological moments to mortality: A multidisciplinary synthesis on heart rate variability spanning the continuum of time

Author(s)

Kemp, Andrew H. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Koenig, Julian ^[4] ; Thayer, Julian F. ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Swansea Univ, Dept Psychol, Swansea, W Glam - Wales

^[2] Univ Sydney, Discipline Psychiat, Sydney, NSW - Australia

^[3] Univ Sydney, Sch Psychol, Sydney, NSW - Australia

^[4] Heidelberg Univ, Ctr Psychosocial Med, Dept Child & Adolescent Psychiat, Sect Translat Psychobiol Child & Adolescent Psych, Heidelberg - Germany

^[5] Ohio State Univ, Dept Psychol, 1835 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210 - USA

• Document type: Review article
• Source: NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS; v. 83, p. 547-567, DEC 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 22

Abstract

Heart rate variability (HRV) indexes functioning of the vagus nerve, arguably the most important nerve in the human body. The Neurovisceral Integration Model has provided a structural framework for understanding brain body integration, highlighting the role of the vagus in adaptation to the environment. In the present paper, we emphasise a temporal framework in which HRV may be considered a missing, structural link between psychological moments and mortality, a proposal we label as Neurovisceral Integration Across a Continuum of Time (or NIACT). This new framework places neurovisceral integration on a dimension of time, highlighting implications for lifespan development and healthy aging, and helping to bridge the gap between clearly demarcated disciplines such as psychology and epidemiology. The NIACT provides a novel framework, which conceptualizes how everyday psychological moments both affect and are affected by the vagus in ways that have long-term effects on mortality risk. We further emphasize that a longitudinal approach to understanding change in vagal function over time may yield novel scientific insights and important public health outcomes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/50327-6 - Predicting adverse events in patients with acute coronary syndrome: an examination of the role of depression and autonomic imbalance
• Grantee: Isabela Judith Martins Bensenor
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants