While the negative link between psychological and cardiovascular health is well-documented, could there be a positive connection? Can psychological health improve heart health? This is what researchers aimed to discover in a new animal study published Friday. Researchers found that activating areas of the brain responsible for motivation and positive outlooks improved recovery from a heart attack. “The study offers a mechanistic understanding of a phenomenon emerging from epidemiological studies,” Asya Rolls, a psychoneuroimmunologist and associate professor at Technion Israel Institute of Technology, wrote in an email to The Epoch Times.
On the first day after the heart attack, both groups showed comparable heart damage. However, by Day 14, the VTA-activated mice showed significant improvements in their cardiac performance compared to control mice, demonstrating the positive effects of VTA activation on heart function and recovery. “We observed that VTA stimulation leads to improved remodeling processes and cardiac performance,” the researchers wrote in the study.
In particular, the hearts of VTA mice showed reduced scar tissue formation, increased formation of new blood vessels, and improved heart function compared to control mice. They also discovered that these beneficial effects are mediated by changes in liver function, particularly through increased production and secretion of a protein produced by the liver called complement component 3 (C3). When asked about the possibility of replicating the study in humans, Ms.
Rolls said, “Manipulations of the reward system in humans will take a while.” The study also suggests finding noninvasive ways to activate the brain’s reward system for immune response and tissue healing. “One way will be the use of noninvasive brain stimulations, which is an emerging field that will still take time to translate,” Ms.
Rolls said. Other possible interventions include transcranial magnetic stimulation, focused ultrasound, and functional MRI-guided neurofeedback. Other studies have explored the role of motivation in cardiac patients’ recovery.
The study also illuminates the individual’s active role in their own health. While medications and medical treatments are available, the study uncovers the significant role of motivation in physical healing and recovery. This discovery can usher in the exploration of other means to promote health, such as seeking support and exploring non-drug treatments like counseling, behavioral programs, and cognitive therapies.
When asked about future research directions, Ms. Rolls told The Epoch Times, “We are now trying to understand how the brain decodes the physiological state and the state of the immune system and how it can use this information to control immunity, a concept that we call immunoception.” This can lead to better insights into how the brain affects immune function, potentially resulting in new treatments for immune-related conditions and improving overall health management.
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