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Self-regulating arousal via pupil-based biofeedback

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Nadine Meissner

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Marc Bächinger

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Sanne Kikkert

    (ETH Zurich
    University and ETH Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Jenny Imhof

    (ETH Zurich
    University and ETH Zurich)

  • Silvia Missura

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Manuel Carro Dominguez

    (ETH Zurich
    University and ETH Zurich)

  • Nicole Wenderoth

    (ETH Zurich
    University and ETH Zurich
    Future Health Technologies, Singapore-ETH Centre, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE))

Abstract

The brain’s arousal state is controlled by several neuromodulatory nuclei known to substantially influence cognition and mental well-being. Here we investigate whether human participants can gain volitional control of their arousal state using a pupil-based biofeedback approach. Our approach inverts a mechanism suggested by previous literature that links activity of the locus coeruleus, one of the key regulators of central arousal and pupil dynamics. We show that pupil-based biofeedback enables participants to acquire volitional control of pupil size. Applying pupil self-regulation systematically modulates activity of the locus coeruleus and other brainstem structures involved in arousal control. Furthermore, it modulates cardiovascular measures such as heart rate, and behavioural and psychophysiological responses during an oddball task. We provide evidence that pupil-based biofeedback makes the brain’s arousal system accessible to volitional control, a finding that has tremendous potential for translation to behavioural and clinical applications across various domains, including stress-related and anxiety disorders.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Nadine Meissner & Marc Bächinger & Sanne Kikkert & Jenny Imhof & Silvia Missura & Manuel Carro Dominguez & Nicole Wenderoth, 2024. "Self-regulating arousal via pupil-based biofeedback," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 43-62, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:8:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41562-023-01729-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01729-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jacob Reimer & Matthew J McGinley & Yang Liu & Charles Rodenkirch & Qi Wang & David A McCormick & Andreas S Tolias, 2016. "Pupil fluctuations track rapid changes in adrenergic and cholinergic activity in cortex," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Ruud L van den Brink & Peter R Murphy & Sander Nieuwenhuis, 2016. "Pupil Diameter Tracks Lapses of Attention," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, October.
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