Children’s internalizing behavior development is heterogeneously associated with the pace of epigenetic aging

in Biological Psychology (in press)

Background: Internalizing behaviors are an indicator of children’s psychological and emotional development, predicting future mental disorders. Recent studies have identified associations between DNA ... [more ▼]

Background: Internalizing behaviors are an indicator of children’s psychological and emotional development, predicting future mental disorders. Recent studies have identified associations between DNA methylation (DNAm) and internalizing behaviors. This prospective study aimed at exploring the associations between pace of biological aging and the developmental trajectories of internalizing behaviors. Methods: Participants were children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort (N=974). Measures of DNA methylation were collected at birth, age 7 and ages 15-17. The pace of aging was estimated using the DunedinPoAm algorithm (PoAm). Internalizing behaviors reported by caregivers between ages 4 and 16 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. To explore heterogeneity in the association between PoAm and internalizing behaviors we use Poisson quantile regression in cross-section heterogeneity and longitudinal latent class analysis over the childhood and adolescence. Results: Internalizing behavior trajectories were identified: low-risk, childhood limited, late onset and early onset (persistent). Accelerated aging at birth was negatively associated with internalizing behaviors in early childhood but positively correlated during adolescence. Higher PoAm at birth increased chance of low-risk profile, while decreasing likelihood of childhood limited trajectory. PoAm at age 15 was negatively associated with childhood limited profile and positively linked to late onset trajectories. Associations were larger at higher values of internalizing symptoms. Conclusions: The heterogeneity in the association between biological age acceleration and internalizing behaviors suggests a complex dynamic relationship, particularly in children with high or increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. [less ▲]

On the construct validity of interoceptive accuracy based on heartbeat counting: cardiovascular determinants of absolute and tilt-induced change scores

in Biological Psychology (2021), 164(1), 108168

Interoceptive accuracy (IAcc) as assessed with the heartbeat counting task (IAccHBCT) may be affected by a range of factors including (1.) the ability to adequately detect cardiac signals, indicated by ... [more ▼]

Interoceptive accuracy (IAcc) as assessed with the heartbeat counting task (IAccHBCT) may be affected by a range of factors including (1.) the ability to adequately detect cardiac signals, indicated by IAcc in a heartbeat discrimination task (IAccHBDT), (2.) cardiac signal properties, affected by sympathetic and parasympathetic tone, and (3.) non-interoceptive processes, including time estimation accuracy (TEAcc). In the current study we investigated the contribution of these factors to absolute and Δ IAccHBCT scores, induced by passive head-up and head-down tilt in 49 healthy individuals. A set of hierarchical regression models showed IAccHBDT scores as the strongest and, across different orthostatic (tilt) conditions, most stable (positive) predictor of absolute and Δ IAccHBCT scores. Neither indicators of cardiac signal properties (except for HR in head-down-tilt), nor TEAcc predicted absolute or Δ IAccHBCT scores. These findings support the convergent and discriminant validity of absolute and Δ IAccHBCT scores. [less ▲]

High blood pressure responders show largest increase in heartbeat perception accuracy after post-learning stress following a cardiac interoceptive learning task

in Biological Psychology (2020), 154(1), 107919

Mental disorders with physical symptoms, e.g. somatic symptom disorder, are characterized by altered interoceptive accuracy (IAc), which can be explained by individual differences in interoceptive ... [more ▼]

Mental disorders with physical symptoms, e.g. somatic symptom disorder, are characterized by altered interoceptive accuracy (IAc), which can be explained by individual differences in interoceptive learning (IL). We investigated if stress facilitates IL. Seventy-three healthy participants performed a heartbeat counting task (HCT: T1) and a heartbeat perception training (HBPT). After exposure to a socially-evaluated cold pressor stress test (SECPT; n=48) or a control condition (n=25), two more HCTs were performed (T2: 30 minutes after SECPT; T3: 24 h later). After the HBPT, all participants showed an increase in IAc. We separated the stress group into high vs. low systolic blood pressures (SBP) responders (n=24 each), with high SBP responders showing the largest IAc increases. Only SBP, but not cortisol responsiveness significantly predicted IAc increase from T1 to T2. Our results indicate that post-learning autonomic stress response facilitates IL, whereas the HPA axis response may be less important for this effect. [less ▲]

Gastric modulation of startle eye blink

in Biological Psychology (2017), 127(1), 25-33

Abstract: Previous assessment methods of gastric interoception either rely on self-reports, or imply invasive procedures. We investigated the reliability of startle methodology as a non-invasive ... [more ▼]

Abstract: Previous assessment methods of gastric interoception either rely on self-reports, or imply invasive procedures. We investigated the reliability of startle methodology as a non-invasive alternative for the assessment of afferent gastric signals. Twenty-four participants were tested on three separate days, on which they were requested to ingest water (either 0, 300 or 600 ml), after 8 h of fasting. On each assessment day, eye blink responses (EMG) to 10 acoustic startle stimuli (105 dB) were assessed at 4 measurement points (before, 0, 7, 14 min. after ingestion). Increased normogastric responses (EGG), ratings of satiety and fullness, and higher heart rate variability (RMSSD) suggested effective non-invasive induction of gastric distention. Startle responses were lower directly after ingestion of 600 ml as compared to earlier and later measurements. These results suggest that startle methodology provides a reliable method to investigate afferent gastric signals. It could be useful to study possible dissociations between subjective reports and objective afferent gastric signals in eating or somatoform disorders. [less ▲]

Oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism modulates the effects of social support on heart rate variability

in Biological Psychology (2016), 117

Accuracy and awareness of perception: Related, yet distinct (commentary on Herbert et al., 2012)

in Biological Psychology (2013), 92(2), 423-427

Herbert and colleagues (2012) state that changes in autonomic activity following a specific type of interoceptive sensation, intensifies general interoceptive awareness. This conclusion is being ... [more ▼]

Herbert and colleagues (2012) state that changes in autonomic activity following a specific type of interoceptive sensation, intensifies general interoceptive awareness. This conclusion is being critically examined and reformulated. A distinction is made between Interoceptive Awareness (IAw) and Interoceptive Accuracy (IAc); awareness not necessarily implying accuracy. Given the heterogeneity of interoceptive sensations, we emphasize to abstain from concluding that heartbeat perception tasks can be considered as a measure of OVERALL IAw or OVERALL IAc until this has been more elaborately investigated. Results are reinterpreted to indicate that homeostatic challenges which lead to an increase in ionotropic cardiac activity, lead to an increased cardioceptive accuracy, and perhaps increased cardioceptive awareness. However, the findings do not provide conclusive evidence that such challenges increase other types of IAc, nor that they increase OVERALL IAw. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether homeostatic challenges leading to negative inotropic cardiac activity, would similarly lead to changes in accuracy of heartbeat perception. [less ▲]

Neuropeptide S receptor gene is associated with cortisol responses to social stress in humans

in Biological Psychology (2013), 93(2), 304-307

Cardiac autonomic regulation and anger coping in adolescents

in Biological Psychology (2010), (85), 465-471

The current study investigated spontaneous anger coping, cardiac autonomic regulation and phasic heart rate responses to anger provocation. Forty-five adolescents (27 female, mean age 14.7 years) attended ... [more ▼]

The current study investigated spontaneous anger coping, cardiac autonomic regulation and phasic heart rate responses to anger provocation. Forty-five adolescents (27 female, mean age 14.7 years) attended the single experimental session, which included monitoring of continuous heart rate and blood pressure responses to anger provocation (receiving an unfair offer) using a modified version of the Ultimatum Game (UG). Vagal activation was operationalized as high frequency component of heart rate variability during rest periods, and spontaneous baroreflex-sensitivity (SBR) during the UG. Adolescents employing cognitive reappraisal showed higher vagal activity under resting conditions and attenuated heart rate deceleration after receiving the unfair offer compared with participants who tended to ruminate about their anger and experienced injustice. Results from SBR suggested vagal withdrawal in anger ruminators during contemplation of the unfair offer. These results provide further support for the specificity and sensitivity of vagal responses to higher cortical functions such as emotion regulation. [less ▲]

A dimensional-categorical approach to the language of dyspnea

in Biological Psychology (2010), 83(1), 64-65

Glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms and glucocorticoid sensitivity of subdermal blood vessels and leukocytes

in Biological Psychology (2008), 79(2), 179-184