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Respiratory phase shapes brain-heart dynamics: evidence from recurrence analysis of EEG band power and heart rate
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DOI：10.3389/fnsys.2026.1905962.png)
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Abstract
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IntroductionRespiration is increasingly recognized as a key modulator of brain-body interactions; influencing both neural and autonomic dynamics. While prior work has demonstrated respiratory-driven entrainment; it remains unclear whether distinct phases of the breathing cycle give rise to different dynamical regimes of cortical activity.MethodsIn this study; we investigated respiratory-phase-dependent modulation of brain-heart interactions during controlled breathing; focusing on breath-hold periods following inhalation and exhalation. EEG band power time series and heart rate (HR) were analyzed in 15 healthy subjects. In addition to conventional spectral measures; recurrence quantification analysis was employed to characterize non-linear dynamics in cortical activity.ResultsResults revealed clear respiratory-phase-dependent differences. Inhale-hold was associated with increased γ band power; higher recurrence rate; and elevated HR; whereas exhale-hold showed reduced γ activity; lower recurrence; and decreased HR. These findings are consistent with known mechanisms of respiratory sinus arrhythmia and suggest that the two conditions correspond to distinct autonomic states. From a dynamical systems perspective; increased recurrence during inhale-hold suggests more structured and constrained cortical dynamics; while reduced recurrence during exhale-hold reflects comparatively more variable activity.DiscussionTogether; these findings suggest that respiratory phase modulates the organization of brain-body dynamics; potentially reflecting shifts between more stable and more flexible regimes of neural activity. This phase-dependent organization supports the view that respiration may act as a physiological mechanism for dynamically tuning brain-heart interactions; with implications for understanding the role of breathing in the modulation of neural dynamics.
Keywords:
non-linear dynamics
recurrence quantification analysis
respiratory modulation
controlled breathing
brain heart interactions
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