Breathing, cognitive function, stress reduction, autonomic nervous system

Cognitive neuroscience, functional brain imaging, Physiology

In recent years, breathing techniques using yoga, zazen, and meditation techniques have been known to have a stress-reducing effect, including on stress-related mental illnesses, and these effects have attracted widespread attention. Respiratory factors at that time act not only on the body but also on the brain, but little is known, particularly about the effects of respiratory factors on brain network activity and how they ultimately produce a stress-reducing effect. We have already partially clarified the effects of such respiratory factors on the cognitive neural basis. Based on this, we are working on research to specify brain network activity that leads to improved performance in tasks involving concentration and attention, as well as stress-reducing effects.

Clarification of the effects of respiratory factors on the neural basis of cognition

Sensing and analysis by simultaneously monitoring local brain activity, electroencephalograms, autonomic nerve activity (RSA amplitude), and changes in pupil diameter

Analysis of respiratory factors may provide scientific evidence for improving task performance and reducing stress.

In the future, there is a possibility that this method will be developed and widely applied as a new and more effective method for improving memory, concentration, and attention, as well as for reducing stress.

―

1. Nakamura NH, Furue H, Kobayashi K, Oku Y. (2023) Hippocampal ensemble dynamics and memory performance are modulated by respiration during encoding. Nature Communications. 14:4391.
2. Nakamura NH, Fukunaga M, Yamamoto T, Sadato N, Oku Y. (2022) Respiration-timing-dependent changes in activation of neural substrates during cognitive processes. Cerebral Cortex Communications. 3:tgac038.
3. Nakamura NH, Fukunaga M, Oku Y (2019) Respiratory fluctuations in pupil diameter are not maintained during cognitive tasks. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 265:68-75.
4. Nakamura NH, Fukunaga M, Oku Y (2018) Respiratory modulation of cognitive performance during the retrieval process. PLoS ONE. 13:e0204021.