Abstract
Cognitive functions could be specifically altered but masked from the unspecific effect of workload, a common factor affecting cognitive functions that modulate peripheral outputs. To identify workload-related and specific, task-dependent components, physiological correlates of cognitive functioning were derived by studying 15 healthy volunteers performing attentional tasks in baseline and post-sleep-deprivation conditions (one week interval). Sleep deprivation was introduced to increase workload. We performed recordings of heart pulse, facial temperature, and head movements during tasks assessing attentional network efficiency (ANT, Attentional Network Task; CCT, Continuous Compensatory Tracker) workload assessments after execution of tasks. Changes in cognitive and physiological indices were studied in both conditions; physiological correlates of cognitive performance were identified by correlating changes from baseline to post-sleep-deprivation condition of task indices with those of physiological measures after correction for between-conditions workload changes. We found that mental and physical demands of workload increased after sleep deprivation. We identified no changes in cognitive and physiological indices across conditions; specific physiological correlates of attentional systems, as indicated by the negative correlation between changes in ANT-alerting and changes in amplitude of head movements and the positive correlation between changes in CCT-speed indexing alertness and changes in facial temperature.
Highlights
The daily living of human beings is driven by cognitive processes related to the transformation, reduction, elaboration, storage, and recovery of sensory input in the real world [1]
We studied the peripheral physiological correlates from sensors placed in the periocular area in subjects undergoing different cognitive tasks involving attentional systems at baseline and post-sleep-deprivation
The perceived workload measured after tasks was different between conditions for mental and physical demand subscales; mental and physical demands increased in the post-sleep-deprivation condition (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively)
Summary
The daily living of human beings is driven by cognitive processes related to the transformation, reduction, elaboration, storage, and recovery of sensory input in the real world [1]. The functioning of distinct cognitive functions is based on specific brain networks and gives rise to distinguishable activations; a common factor affecting cognitive functions is workload, the multidimensional construct quantifying the level of mental and physical effort put forth by a performer in response to cognitive tasks. Workload is sustained by arousal and it is described as an indicator of pressure on working memory [5]. The arousal during workload implies an autonomic activation involved in non-consciously coordinated bodily responses for homeostasis [6]. Autonomic arousal is sustained by the activity of the central autonomic network, that controls electrophysiological changes related to cognitive and emotional processing [7]. Besides workload-related effects, several studies have highlighted specific neurofunctional patterns associated with cognitive tasks involving different domains. Concerning the three networks of attention, Posner and Petersen [8] identified the alerting, orienting, and executive
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