Inhibitory Control and Brain-Heart Interaction: An HRV-EEG Study

Background: Motor inhibition is a complex cognitive function regulated by specific brain regions and influenced by the activity of the Central Autonomic Network. We investigate the two-way Brain-Heart interaction during a Go/NoGo task. Spectral EEG theta, alpha powerbands, and HRV parameters (Complexity Index (CI), Low Frequency (LF) and High Frequency (HF) powers) were recorded. Methods: Fourteen healthy volunteers were enrolled. We used a modified version of the classical Go/NoGo task, based on Rule Shift Cards, characterized by a baseline and two different tasks of different complexity. The participants were divided into subjects with Good (GP) and Poor (PP) performances. Results: In the baseline, CI was negatively correlated with alpha/theta. In task 1, the CI was negatively correlated with the errors and alpha/theta, while the errors were positively correlated with alpha/theta. In task 2, CI was negatively correlated with the Reaction Time and positively with a, and the errors were negatively correlated with the Reaction Time and positively correlated with alpha/theta. The GP group showed, at baseline, a negative correlation between CI and alpha/theta. Conclusions: We provide a new combined Brain-Heart model underlying inhibitory control abilities. The results are consistent with the complementary role of alpha and theta oscillations in cognitive control.