Abstract
Methylphenidate influenced the spontaneous autonomic activity of children diagnosed as hyperactive. There was dose response related reduction in disruptive classroom behavior monitored by the teacher ratings and a parallel decrease in a component of heart period variability, V, derived via spectral analysis of heart period activity. A low dose of methylphenidate, which has been reported to enhance cognitive performance, selectively increased a measure of respiratory‐cardiac coupling, Cw, derived via cross‐spectral analysis of respiration and heart period activity. It is hypothesized that Cw may be a quantitative manifestation of brainstem integration and V may be a quantitative estimate of effective vagal tone on the heart.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 42-48 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Psychophysiology |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1981 |
Keywords
- Coherence
- Cross‐spectral analysis
- Heart period variability
- Hyperactive children
- Methylphenidate
- Vagal tone
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
- Physiology (medical)
- Physiology