Multimodal Analysis of Autonomic Regression on Neuronal and Physiological Correlates

Motivation: The fMRI BOLD signal is confounded by autonomic nervous system (ANS) effects, particularly in the low-frequency range, which can mimic task-induced brain activity. . Goal(s): This project aims to identify and model the ANS-related contributions to the BOLD signal, enhancing fMRI's specificity in task-based studies by accurately distinguishing true neural activity from systemic physiological effects. Approach: Using multimodal recordings of sympathetic, respiratory, and cardiovascular measures alongside task-based fMRI, we quantified and corrected ANS-related effects in BOLD signals, integrating these corrections into fMRI processing workflows. Results: We quantified and corrected autonomic nervous system-related effects in BOLD signals, integrating these corrections into the fMRI processing pipeline. Impact: By integrating autonomic corrections into fMRI workflows, this study enhances the accuracy of brain activity measurements, providing a clearer understanding of neural dynamics during cognitive tasks.