Brain structural concomitants of resting state heart rate variability in the young and old: evidence from two independent samples

Abstract

Previous research has shown associations between brain structure and resting state high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). Age affects both brain structure and HF-HRV. Therefore we sought to examine the relationship between brain structure and HF-HRV as a function of age. Data from two independent studies were used for the present analysis. Study 1 included 19 older adults (10 males, age range 62–78 years) and 19 younger adults (12 males, age range 19–37). Study 2 included 23 older adults (12 males; age range 55–75) and 27 younger adults (17 males; age range 18–34). The root-mean-square of successive R-R-interval differences (RMSSD) from ECG recordings was used as time-domain measure of HF-HRV. MRI scans were performed on a 3.0-T Siemens Magnetom Trio scanner. Cortical reconstruction and volumetric segmentation were performed with the Freesurfer image analysis suite, including 12 regions as regions-of-interests (ROI). Zero-order and partial correlations were used to assess the correlation of RMSSD with cortical thickness in selected ROIs. Lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) cortical thickness was significantly associated with RMSSD. Further, both studies, in line with previous research, showed correlations between RMSSD and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) cortical thickness. Meta-analysis on adjusted correlation coefficients from individual studies confirmed an association of RMSSD with the left rostral ACC and the left lateral OFC. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to trace individual trajectories in the association of HRV and brain structure across aging.

Cortical thickness, resting state heart rate, and heart rate variability in female adolescents

“…A negative correlation was reported between resting HRV (indexed by high‐frequency HRV) and the left isthmus cingulate cortex. These findings were partly replicated by a later report (Yoo et al, ), drawing on a total of n = 85 (37 female) adult participants from two independent samples comprising two age groups each (18–37 years and 62–78 years). In a meta‐analysis across findings from both samples, independent of age, the report found a correlation between resting state HRV and cortical thickness of the caudal and rostral ACC of the left hemisphere, the left lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the left and right caudal MFG, the left and right SFG, the left and right insula, the left and right pars opercularis, the right pars triangularis, and the right pars orbitalis.…”

“…In a meta‐analysis across findings from both samples, independent of age, the report found a correlation between resting state HRV and cortical thickness of the caudal and rostral ACC of the left hemisphere, the left lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the left and right caudal MFG, the left and right SFG, the left and right insula, the left and right pars opercularis, the right pars triangularis, and the right pars orbitalis. Results indicated that greater cortical thickness of the OFC was associated with greater HRV regardless of age, whereas the association with the ACC was only evident among younger adults (Yoo et al, ). Importantly, with the exception of a significant correlation between cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC and mean heart rate (HR) in one subsample, the study illustrated that the association between cortical thickness and autonomic function was unique to HRV—not HR (Yoo et al, ).…”

“…Results indicated that greater cortical thickness of the OFC was associated with greater HRV regardless of age, whereas the association with the ACC was only evident among younger adults (Yoo et al, ). Importantly, with the exception of a significant correlation between cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC and mean heart rate (HR) in one subsample, the study illustrated that the association between cortical thickness and autonomic function was unique to HRV—not HR (Yoo et al, ). A third study (Woodward, Kaloupek, Schaer, Martinez, & Eliez, ) found a positive correlation between HRV and right but not left ACC volume in older (mean age = 49 years) combat veterans using a large ROI analysis of manually traced ACC volumes.…”

“…Given that no study to date has examined the association of cortical thickness and resting state HRV in adolescents, the present study sought to rectify this situation. Based on a previous study in adults (Yoo et al, ), illustrating unique correlations between cortical thickness and HRV but not HR, we further sought to address the association of cortical thickness and resting state HR in adolescents.…”

Higher locus coeruleus MRI contrast is associated with lower parasympathetic influence over heart rate variability

“…For instance, greater baseline RMSSD is associated with greater functional connectivity between amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (Sakaki et al, 2016). Furthermore, across individuals, greater structural thickness in the anterior cingulate and prefrontal regions was associated with greater HF-HRV/RMSSD across several samples and among both younger and older adults (Winkelmann et al, 2016; Yoo et al, In preparation). These findings provide important insights into the cortical control of HF-HRV.…”