Integrative neuro-cardiovascular dynamics in response to test anxiety: a brain-heart axis study Catrambone V., Zallocco L., Ramoretti E., Mazzoni M. R., Sebastiani L., Valenza G. Test anxiety (TA), a recognized form of social anxiety, is the most prominent cause of anxiety among students
and, if left unmanaged, can escalate to psychiatric disorders. TA profoundly impacts both central and autonomic
nervous systems, presenting as a dual manifestation of cognitive and autonomic components. While limited
studies have explored the physiological underpinnings of TA, none have directly investigated the intricate
interplay between the CNS and ANS in this context. In this study, we introduce a non-invasive, integrated neurocardiovascular
approach to comprehensively characterize the physiological responses of 27 healthy subjects
subjected to test anxiety induced via a simulated exam scenario. Our experimental findings highlight that an
isolated analysis of electroencephalographic and heart rate variability data fails to capture the intricate information
provided by a brain-heart axis assessment, which incorporates an analysis of the dynamic interaction
between the brain and heart. With respect to resting state, the simulated examination induced a decrease in the
neural control onto heartbeat dynamics at all frequencies, while the studying condition induced a decrease in the
ascending heart-to-brain interplay at EEG oscillations up to 12Hz. This underscores the significance of adopting a
multisystem perspective in understanding the complex and especially functional directional mechanisms underlying
test anxiety.Source: Physiology & behavior 276 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114460 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114460 Metrics:
Hypnotizability-related risky experience and behavior Cruz-Sanabria F., Faraguna U., Panu C., Tommasi L., Bruno S., Bazzani A., Sebastiani L., Santarcangelo E. L. Risk is the probability of an adverse event. The proneness to take a risk and the risk taking behavior differ among
the general population.
Hypnotizability is a stable psychophysiological trait expressing the individual proneness to modify perception,
memory and behavior following specific suggestions also in the ordinary state of consciousness. Some
hypnotizability-related neurophysiological and behavioral correlates suggest that hypnotizability level,
measured by standard scales classifying individuals as low (lows), medium (mediums) and high hypnotizable
(highs) subjects, can be related to risk propensity and risk-taking. To study whether hypnotizability modulates
risk propensity and behavior, we recruited healthy participants, classified through the Standford Hypnotic
Susceptibility scale, form A, and compared lows' (n = 33), mediums' (n = 19) and highs'(n = 15) experiential
and behavioral risk perception and propensity variables through the Domain-specific risk-taking scale and the
Balloon Analogue Risk Task. MANOVA results indicated that different hypnotizability levels are not associated
with different risky behavior and experience, except for higher expected financial benefits from risky behavior in
lows. However, hypnotizability-related risk profiles were identified through correlational analyses. In fact, highs
exhibited a negative association between risk perception and propensity to risk-taking, whereas mediums and
lows displayed a positive association between risk propensity and expected benefit. In conclusion, the highs'
profile indicates a more automatic behavior with respect to mediums and lows.Source: Neuroscience letters (Print) 821 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137625 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137625 Metrics:
THE D.3.2.1 - AA@THE User needs, technical requirements and specifications Pratali L., Campana M. G., Delmastro F., Di Martino F., Pescosolido L., Barsocchi P., Broccia G., Ciancia V., Gennaro C., Girolami M., Lagani G., La Rosa D., Latella D., Magrini M., Manca M., Massink M., Mattioli A., Moroni D., Palumbo F., Paradisi P., PaternĂ² F., Santoro C., Sebastiani L., Vairo C. Deliverable D3.2.1 del progetto PNRR Ecosistemi ed innovazione - THESource: ISTI Project Report, THE, D3.2, 2023