Hemisphere asymmetry in parasympathetic control of the heart

Author(s): Block, A., Genzel, S., Schweiger, E.

Journal/Book: Neuropsychologia. 1998; 36: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 461-468.

Abstract: Hemisphere asymmetry in the control of parasympathetic outflow to the sino-atrial node of the heart was studied in healthy human subjects using lateralized film presentation for selective sensory stimulation of the hemispheres and power spectral analysis of heart rate variability as a measure of vagal tone. There was a clear a,nd consistent left hemisphere predominance in the control of parasympathetic modulation of cardiac activity which cannot be attributed to differences in emotional processing. Supplementing previous findings of our research group, the present study indicates that control of autonomic cardiac activity at the level of the cerebral cortex seems to be characterized by a division of responsibility between both hemispheres, sympathetic activity being mainly controlled by the right hemisphere and parasympathetic activity being under the left hemisphere's main control.

Note: Article Wittling W, Catholic Univ Eichstaette, Dept Clin & Physiol Psychol, D-85071 Eichstatt, GERMANY

Keyword(s): brain asymmetry; vagal; sympathetic; hemispheres; heart rate variability; parasympathetic; NEUROENDOCRINE BRAIN ASYMMETRY; RESPIRATORY SINUS ARRHYTHMIA; INSULAR CORTEX STIMULATION; POWER SPECTRUM ANALYSIS; RATE-VARIABILITY; ATRIOVENTRICULAR-CONDUCTION; AUTONOMIC FUNCTION; NUCLEUS AMBIGUUS; CARDIAC CONTROL; HUMANS

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