Autonomic responses correlate to motor anticipation

Abstract

New findings have stated that autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning may reflect some cognitive processes observed in real time analysis. Four ANS variables plus instantaneous heart rate and respiratory frequency were quantified by original techniques and indices on 11 subjects during a coincidence-anticipation task, performed on a computer screen under six different, randomly-presented modalities (3 modalities describing the spot moving along a parabola at 2 speeds). Tonic levels and phasic responses corresponding to each trial were recorded continuously. Results showed that skin resistance tonic level evolution gave evidence of vigilance changes. Thus, performance can be related to subjects' vigilance. An autonomic response was always observed during performance of an anticipation task. The six task modalities were distinguished by performance values. Simultaneously recorded ANS responses fully differentiated these same modalities for 10 subjects out of 11. These ANS responses were furthermore related to performance. Ten subjects out of 11 possess at least one Autonomic variable which can differentiate the six task modalities, confirming Lacey's hypothesis on ANS preferential response, and suggesting ANS specificity. ANS functioning may reveal some brain functions through a specific autonomic channel, characterizing each subject. The behavioral output of an individual may thus be reflected by such a functioning.