scholarly journals Human and Human-Interfaced AI Interactions: Modulation of Human Male Autonomic Nervous System via Pupil Mimicry

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1028
Author(s):  
Catherine Spicer ◽  
Prashanna Khwaounjoo ◽  
Yusuf Ozgur Cakmak

Pupillary alterations in virtual humans induce neurophysiological responses within an observer. Technological advances have enabled rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI), from verbal systems, to visual AI interfaces with the ability to express, and respond to emotional states of a user. Visual AI interfaces are able to change their physical parameters, such as pupil diameter. Pupillary changes can alter heart rate, however, effects on heart rate variability (HRV) are unknown. HRV, is an autonomic, non-conscious parameter which monitors sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity. N = 34 male participants aged between 19–33 were subjected to a number of conditions such as pupil dilation, constriction and blushing. The present research is the first to investigate the effects of virtual human interactions on human HRV. Outcomes of this study were obtained using eye tracking and HRV measurements. Pupil dilation relative to constriction presented in the female virtual partner induced a significant right pupillary diameter increase (p = 0.041) in human observers. Additionally, female virtual partner pupil constriction relative to dilation induced a significant increase in participants’ PNS HRV response (p = 0.036). These findings indicate the ability of a female virtual interaction partner to modulate parasympathetic autonomic functioning in young healthy male humans. This allows first insights into the effects of interacting with virtual AI interaction partners, on human autonomic functioning, and may aid development of future virtual humans, and their implementation into relevant clinical settings.

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 627-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Henrique de Oliveira Mondoni ◽  
Luiz Carlos Marques Vanderlei ◽  
Bruno Saraiva ◽  
Franciele Marques Vanderlei

AbstractIntroduction It is known that physical exercise is beneficial and precipitates adjustments to the autonomic nervous system. However, the effect of exercise on cardiac autonomic modulation in children, despite its importance, is poorly investigated.Objective To bring together current information about the effects of exercise on heart rate variability in healthy and obese children.Methods The literature update was performed through a search for articles in the following databases; PubMed, PEDro, SciELO and Lilacs, using the descriptors “exercise” and “child” in conjunction with the descriptors “autonomic nervous system”, “sympathetic nervous system”, “parasympathetic nervous system” and also with no descriptor, but the key word of this study, “heart rate variability”, from January 2005 to December 2012.Results After removal of items that did not fit the subject of the study, a total of 9 articles were selected, 5 with healthy and 4 with obese children.Conclusion The findings suggest that exercise can act in the normalization of existing alterations in the autonomic nervous system of obese children, as well as serve as a preventative factor in healthy children, enabling healthy development of the autonomic nervous system until the child reaches adulthood.


1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2577-2584
Author(s):  
MICHEL G. W. BARNAS ◽  
WALTHER H. BOER ◽  
HEIN A. KOOMANS

Abstract. Intradialytic hypotension, a major source of morbidity during hemodialysis and ultrafiltration, is often accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia. Relatively little is known about the sequential changes in autonomic nervous system activity up to and during the hypotensive episode. Continuous, beat-to-beat measurements of BP and heart rate were made during hemodialysis in patients prone (n = 8) and not prone (n = 11) to develop intradialytic hypotension. Off-line spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was performed to assess changes in autonomic nervous system activity during dialysis sessions both with and without hypotension. The low frequency (LF) component of HRV is thought to correlate with sympathetic nervous system activity, the high frequency (HF) component with that of the parasympathetic nervous system. In the sessions not complicated by symptomatic hypotension (n = 26), mean arterial BP (MAP) hardly fell, whereas heart rate increased from 77 ± 2 to 89 ± 5 bpm (P < 0.05). The LF component of HRV increased from 45.2 ± 5.0 normalized units (nu) to 59.9 ± 4.9 nu (P < 0.05), whereas the HF component fell from 54.8 ± 5.0 to 40.2 ± 4.4 nu (P < 0.05). These changes agree with compensatory baroreflex-mediated activation of the sympathetic nervous system (and suppressed parasympathetic activity) during ultrafiltration-induced intravascular volume depletion. In the sessions complicated by severe symptomatic hypotension (n = 22), the changes in heart rate and the results of spectral analysis of HRV were similar to those reported above up to the moment of sudden symptomatic (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, cramps) hypotension, whereas MAP had already fallen gradually from 94 ± 3 to 85 ± 3 mmHg (P < 0.05). The sudden further reduction in MAP (to 55 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.02) was invariably accompanied by bradycardia (heart rate directly before hypotension 90 ± 2 bpm, during hypotension 69 ± 3 bpm, P < 0.002). The LF component of HRV fell from 62.8 ± 4.6 nu directly before to 40.0 ± 3.7 nu (P < 0.05) during hypotension, whereas the HF component increased from 37.9 ± 4.7 to 60.3 ± 3.7 nu (P < 0.05). These findings agree with activation of the cardiodepressor reflex, involving decreased sympathetic and increased parasympathetic nervous system activity, respectively. These findings indicate that activation of the sympatho-inhibitory cardiodepressor reflex (Bezold-Jarisch reflex), which is a physiologic response to a critical reduction in intravascular volume and cardiac filling, is the cause of sudden intradialytic hypotension.


Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desuo Wang

Tai Chi movements are unique exercise that can improve cognition, strength somatomotor coordination, and enhance autonomic nerve regulation on internal organ function. The mild increase in heart rate and/or slight sweat during and after practicing Tai Chi indicates the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. There is lack of evidence to show that Tai Chi exercise enhances the activity of parasympathetic nervous system though it has been claimed that practicing Tai Chi could do so. The author tested the hypothesis that Tai Chi exercise brings on an increase in parasympathetic nerve outputs (PNO). The PNO is evaluated by recording the bowel sounds using an audio recorder (Sony digital voice recorder ICD-PX Series) and the data analyses were done using NCH software (WavePad audio editor). The heart rate was simultaneously recorded using a fingertip pulse oximeter (Zacurate Pro Series 500DL) during Tai Chi exercise. All the data was repeatedly collected from a Tai Chi Master in a study period of 6 months. A total of 30 recordings were used to carry out the analysis. The audible bowel sounds occurred when the performer started to do the Ready-Movement of Yang-style Tai Chi. These Tai Chi induced-bowel sounds lasted from the beginning to the end of a set of movements (3-5 min for 24-moves style). The frequency of bowel sounds was in a range of 0.2 to 3.5 Hz. The average number of bowel sounds was approximately 2.5 sounds per Tai Chi Move. The intensity and frequency of the bowel sounds are not related to the change of the performer’s heart rate. In comparison, meditation or deep squat exercise performed by the Tai Chi master did not cause any changes in the bowel sounds. According to the autonomic innervation of the GI tract, increase of bowel movements is mediated by PNO. In conclusion, Tai Chi movements can simultaneously exercise skeletal muscles, sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. The enhancement of parasympathetic nervous system output by Tai Chi exercise is a valuable modality of physical exercise for wellness.


2018 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZZ Taralov ◽  
KV Terziyski ◽  
PK Dimov ◽  
BI Marinov ◽  
SS Kostianev

Purpose The purpose of this study is to establish the alterations in the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) via heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects exposed to 1 h of exogenous hypoxia for 10 consecutive days. Methods Twelve healthy non-smoker males at mean age of 29.8 ± 7.4 (mean ± SD) breathed hypoxic air delivered through hypoxicator (FiО2 = 12.3% ± 1.5%) for 1 h in 10 consecutive days. Pulse oximetry and electrocardiography were monitored during the visit and HRV was calculated for the entire 1-h hypoxic period. Results Comparing the last hypoxic visit to the first, subjects had higher standard deviation of normal-to-normal interbeat intervals (SDNNs) (65.7 ± 32.5 vs. 81.1 ± 32.0 ms, p = 0.013) and root mean square of successive R–R interval difference (RMSSD) (58.1 ± 30.9 vs. 76.5 ± 34.6 ms, p = 0.029) as well as higher lnTotal power (8.1 ± 1.1 vs. 8.5 ± 0.9 ms2, p = 0.015) and high frequency (lnHF) (6.8 ± 1.3 vs. 7.5 ± 1.2 ms2, p = 0.05) and lower LF/HF (2.4 ± 1.4 vs. 1.5 ± 1.0, p = 0.026). Changes in saturation (87.0 ± 7.1 vs. 90.8 ± 5.0%, p = 0.039) and heart rate (67.1 ± 8.9 vs. 62.5 ± 6.0 beats/min, p = 0.040) were also observed. Conclusions Intermittent hypoxic training consisting of 1-h hypoxic exposure for 10 consecutive days could diminish the effects of acute exogenous hypoxia on the ANS characterized by an increased autonomic control (SDNN and total power) with augmentation of the parasympathetic nervous system activity (increased RMSSD and HF and decreased LF/HF). Therefore, it could be applied as a pre-acclimatization technique aiming at an increase in the autonomic control and oxygen saturation in subjects with upcoming sojourn to high altitude.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Balsamo Gardim ◽  
Bruno Affonso P. de Oliveira ◽  
Aline Fernanda B. Bernardo ◽  
Rayana Loch Gomes ◽  
Francis Lopes Pacagnelli ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE:To gather current information about the effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus on children's cardiac autonomic behavior.DATA SOURCES: The search of articles was conducted on PubMed, Ibecs, Medline, Cochrane, Lilacs, SciELO and PEDro databases using the MeSH terms: "autonomic nervous system", "diabetes mellitus", "child", "type 1 diabetes mellitus", "sympathetic nervous system" and "parasympathetic nervous system", and their respective versions in Portuguese (DeCS). Articles published from January 2003 to February 2013 that enrolled children with 9-12 years old with type 1 diabetes mellitus were included in the review.DATA SYNTHESIS: The electronic search resulted in four articles that approached the heart rate variability in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus, showing that, in general, these children present decreased global heart rate variability and vagal activity. The practice of physical activity promoted benefits for these individuals.CONCLUSIONS: Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus present changes on autonomic modulation, indicating the need for early attention to avoid future complications in this group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (12) ◽  
pp. 1370-1375
Author(s):  
Svetlana V. Ivanova ◽  
Svetlana A. Skovronskaya ◽  
Mihail E. Goshin ◽  
Olga V. Budarina ◽  
Aliya Z. Kulikova

The article contains a literature review devoted to research on the influence of odours on physiological, emotional, and cognitive aspects of human health. The following databases were used at literature search execution: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, Global Health, Russian Research Citation Index. A total amount of 60 sources was analyzed for 1983-2019. The experimental research results aimed at studying the influence of odours on such physiological indices a: heart rate, heart rate variability, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, skin conductibility reaction, sleep, are described, and emotional and cognitive characteristics of the test subjects. The response to odours exposure was shown to depend on their intensity, hedonistic tone, the chemical structure of the odorant, as well as individual peculiarities of the test subjects, including their past experiences with smelling. In most cases, exposure to unpleasant odours activates the sympathetic nervous system, therefore heart rate, respiratory rate, skin blood circulation and its conductivity increase. Attention concentration increases at the deterioration of cognitive functions. Anger and repulsion reactions are noted at the emotional level; a feeling of discomfort with a motivation to escape appears. The exposure of pleasant odours leads to parasympathetic nervous system activation, heart rate, respiratory rate, skin conductibility, and blood circulation decrease. Cognitive functions improve, the quality of problem-solving increases, attention concentration decreases. A person’s mood gets better; the sensation of happiness appears. At that literature analysis has revealed most of the studies on the human to have significant restrictions: standard exposure methods absence, the difficulty of execution blind experiments that were deemed to be ignorant by test subjects as well as the influence of individual preferences and previous personal experience on the effects generated by the odour. The authors proposed recommendations on the current restrictions prevention and optimization of conducting the experimental research on the influence of odours on humans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrian Rice ◽  
Giorgio P. Martinelli ◽  
Weitao Jiang ◽  
Gay R. Holstein ◽  
Suhrud M. Rajguru

A variety of stimuli activating vestibular end organs, including sinusoidal galvanic vestibular stimulation, whole body rotation and tilt, and head flexion have been shown to evoke significant changes in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). While a role for the vertical semicircular canals in altering autonomic activity has been hypothesized, studies to-date attribute the evoked BP and HR responses to the otolith organs. The present study determined whether unilateral activation of the posterior (PC) or anterior (AC) semicircular canal is sufficient to elicit changes in BP and/or HR. The study employed frequency-modulated pulsed infrared radiation (IR: 1,863 nm) directed via optical fibers to PC or AC of adult male Long-Evans rats. BP and HR changes were detected using a small-animal single pressure telemetry device implanted in the femoral artery. Eye movements evoked during IR of the vestibular endorgans were used to confirm the stimulation site. We found that sinusoidal IR delivered to either PC or AC elicited a rapid decrease in BP and HR followed by a stimulation frequency-matched modulation. The magnitude of the initial decrements in HR and BP did not correlate with the energy of the suprathreshold stimulus. This response pattern was consistent across multiple trials within an experimental session, replicable, and in most animals showed no evidence of habituation or an additive effect. Frequency modulated electrical current delivered to the PC and IR stimulation of the AC, caused decrements in HR and BP that resembled those evoked by IR of the PC. Frequency domain heart rate variability assessment revealed that, in most subjects, IR stimulation increased the low frequency (LF) component and decreased the high frequency (HF) component, resulting in an increase in the LF/HF ratio. This ratio estimates the relative contributions of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activities. An injection of atropine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, diminished the IR evoked changes in HR, while the non-selective beta blocker propranolol eliminated changes in both HR and BP. This study provides direct evidence that activation of a single vertical semicircular canal is sufficient to activate and modulate central pathways that control HR and BP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Selezneva ◽  
Michael Brosch ◽  
Sanchit Rathi ◽  
T. Vighneshvel ◽  
Nicole Wetzel

Pupil dilation in response to unexpected stimuli has been well documented in human as well as in non-human primates; however, this phenomenon has not been systematically compared between the species. This analogy is also crucial for the role of non-human primates as an animal model to investigate neural mechanisms underlying the processing of unexpected stimuli and their evoked pupil dilation response. To assess this qualitatively, we used an auditory oddball paradigm in which we presented subjects a sequence of the same sounds followed by occasional deviants while we measured their evoked pupil dilation response (PDR). We used deviants (a frequency deviant, a pink noise burst, a monkey vocalization and a whistle sound) which differed in the spectral composition and in their ability to induce arousal from the standard. Most deviants elicited a significant pupil dilation in both species with decreased peak latency and increased peak amplitude in monkeys compared to humans. A temporal Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed two components underlying the PDRs in both species. The early component is likely associated to the parasympathetic nervous system and the late component to the sympathetic nervous system, respectively. Taken together, the present study demonstrates a qualitative similarity between PDRs to unexpected auditory stimuli in macaque and human subjects suggesting that macaques can be a suitable model for investigating the neuronal bases of pupil dilation. However, the quantitative differences in PDRs between species need to be investigated in further comparative studies.


1996 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Walter Kamen ◽  
Henry Krum ◽  
Andrew Maxwell Tonkin

1. Time domain summary statistics and frequency domain parameters can be used to measure heart rate variability. More recently, qualitative methods including the Poincaré plot have been used to evaluate heart rate variability. The aim of this study was to validate a novel method of quantitative analysis of the Poincaré plot using conventional statistical techniques. 2. Beat-to-beat heart rate variability was measured over a relatively short period of time (10–20 min) in 12 healthy subjects aged between 20 and 40 years (mean 30 ± 7 years) during (i) supine rest, (ii) head-up tilt (sympathetic activation, parasympathetic nervous system activity withdrawal), (iii) intravenous infusion of atropine (parasympathetic nervous system activity withdrawal), and (iv) after overnight administration of low-dose transdermal scopolamine (parasympathetic nervous system augmentation). 3. The ‘width’ of the Poincaré plot, as quantified by SD delta R—R (the difference between successive R—R intervals), was determined at rest (median 48.9, quartile range 20 ms) and found to be significantly reduced during tilt (median 19.1, quartile range 13.7 ms, P < 0.01) and atropine administration (median 7.1, quartile range 5.7 ms, P < 0.01) and increased by scopolamine (median 79.3, quartile range 33 ms, P < 0.01). Furthermore, log variance of delta R—R intervals correlated almost perfectly with log high-frequency (0.15–0.4 Hz) power (r = 0.99, P < 0.01). 4. These findings strongly suggest that the ‘width’ of the Poincaré plot is a measure of parasympathetic nervous system activity. The Poincaré plot is therefore a quantitative visual tool which can be applied to the analysis of R—R interval data gathered over relatively short time periods.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document