Lateralized rhythms of the central and autonomic nervous systems.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and theoretical framework without systematic search methodology or primary data
PubMed 1797757 · doi:10.1016/0167-8760(91)90017-r
What was done
This narrative review synthesized literature on lateralized ultradian rhythms in the central and autonomic nervous systems within the context of the basic rest-activity cycle. It examined theoretical couplings between alternating cerebral hemispheric dominance, ergotrophic and trophotrophic states, the nasal cycle, neuroendocrine activity, REM/NREM sleep, lateralized plasma catecholamines, stress adaptation, and the reported effects of unilateral forced nostril breathing.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative data, sample sizes, or effect estimates. It outlines conceptual couplings linking the nasal cycle and autonomic shifts to alternating cerebral hemispheric dominance, and notes that unilateral forced nostril breathing is reviewed as a method to alter cerebral activity, cognition, and autonomic function.
Why it matters
The paper provides a unifying theoretical model connecting peripheral autonomic asymmetries like the nasal cycle with central hemispheric rhythms and cognitive states. It highlights unilateral forced nostril breathing as a potential non-invasive technique to investigate or modulate autonomic and central nervous system dynamics.
Limits
This is a narrative review presenting theoretical models rather than primary empirical data or a systematic review. The abstract provides no quantitative metrics, sample sizes, or quality assessments of the underlying cited studies.
Cited by
- supports Dominant airflow switches between the nostrils every 90 minutes in an ultradian rhythm reflecting an alternation between parasympathetic-dominant and sympathetic-dominant autonomic tone.