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Threat and the body: how the heart supports fear processing
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 23:56 authored by Sarah Garfinkel, Hugo CritchleyHugo CritchleyMental processes depend upon a dynamic integration of brain and body. Emotions encompass internal physiological changes which, through interoception (sensing bodily states), underpin emotional feelings, for example, cardiovascular arousal can intensify feelings of fear and anxiety. The brain is informed about how quickly and strongly the heart is beating by signals from arterial baroreceptors. These fire in bursts after each heartbeat, and are quiet between heartbeats. The processing of fear stimuli is selectively enhanced by these phasic signals, and these inhibit the processing of other types of stimuli including physical pain. Behavioural and neuroimaging studies detail this differential impact of heart signals on the processing of salient stimuli, and add to knowledge linking rhythmic activity in brain and body to perceptual consciousness.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Trends in Cognitive SciencesISSN
1364-6613Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
20Page range
34-46Department affiliated with
- BSMS Neuroscience Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes