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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 Critchley
Mental 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 Sciences

ISSN

1364-6613

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

1

Volume

20

Page range

34-46

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-01-11

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-01-11

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