When the heart inhibits the brain: Cardiac phases modulate short-interval intracortical inhibition.

ABSTRACT: The phasic cardiovascular activity influences the central nervous system through the systolic baroreceptor inputs, inducing widespread inhibitory effects on behavior. Through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) delivered during resting-state over the left primary motor cortex and across the different cardiac phases, we measured corticospinal excitability (CSE) and distinct indices of intracortical motor inhibition: short (SICI) and long (LICI) interval, corresponding to GABA_A and GABA_B neurotransmission, respectively. We found a significant effect of the cardiac phase on short-intracortical inhibition, without any influence on LICI. Specifically, SICI was stronger at systole compared to diastole. These results show a tight relationship between the cardiac cycle an

SUBMITTER: Paci M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10897847 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature