Title The association between individual differences in executive functioning and resting high-frequency heart rate variability.
Author Williams, Paula G; Cribbet, Matthew R; Tinajero, Ruben; Rau, Holly K; Thayer, Julian F; Suchy, Yana
Journal Biol Psychol Publication Year/Month 2019-Nov
PMID 31577925 PMCID -N/A-
Affiliation + expend 1.University of Utah, United States. Electronic address: paula.williams@psych.utah.edu.

Both resting high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) and executive functioning (EF) are individual differences implicated in vulnerability to a wide range of adverse outcomes. The overlapping set of associations, along with theoretical models positing connections between the brain regions subserving the executive functions and the parasympathetic nervous system, suggest that the two factors should be correlated. Seeking to address limitations in prior research, the current study examined the association between EF, measured comprehensively with individually-administered neuropsychological tests and controlling for lower-order cognitive processes, and resting physiology, measured with impedence cardiography, in healthy, community participants (68% female; mean age鈥?鈥?7, SD鈥?鈥?.5). Results confirmed a significant association between EF and resting HF-HRV, but no association with resting state sympathetic nervous system activation (pre-ejection period). These findings may inform future investigation of transdiagnostic mechanisms related to these two individual difference factors.

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