HSE Scientists Propose Using Heart Rate Analysis to Diagnose Anxiety and Depression
A group of scientists at HSE University have discovered how anxiety and depression can be diagnosed by analysing heart rate. It turns out that under mental stress, the heart rate of individuals with a predisposition to mental health disorders differs from that of healthy individuals, especially when performing more complex tasks. These changes in cardiovascular parameters can even be detected using a pulse oximeter or a smartwatch. The study findings have been published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
According to the World Health Organization, one in five adults under the age of 30 suffers from depression or an anxiety disorder. To prevent the development of mental health conditions and treat them effectively, reliable personalised diagnostic methods are needed.
Today, many technology companies are developing mental health analysis systems based on heart rate data. Various wearable devices, such as smartwatches, bracelets, rings, and others, are used for this purpose. However, it is important not only to record changes in heart rate but also to interpret them accurately.
Scientists at HSE University, in collaboration with the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, conducted a study to determine whether signs of depression and anxiety can be detected through changes in heart rate during cognitive tasks. They performed an experiment with 90 subjects, aged 18 to 45, some of whom had a history of anxiety and depression episodes.
Participants completed memory and attention tasks that gradually increased in complexity: they were instructed to view images of coloured balls and compare each one with the previous one to identify colour matches. As the difficulty level increased, participants had to memorise more balls and colours.
During the experiment, participants' heart rates were recorded using an electrocardiogram (ECG), while simultaneously photoplethysmography (PPG) was conducted to analyse heart function based on changes in blood volume in peripheral vessels. This simple, non-invasive method allows data to be read from the finger or wrist; PPG is the technology used in all wearable devices today.
Data analysis revealed that individuals with higher levels of anxiety or depression exhibited more pronounced changes in heart rate, particularly during complex tasks.
'When faced with a challenging task, people experience stress. They can make mistakes, which is normal and does not necessarily indicate a mental health issue. However, at a critical point of increasing complexity—when the task is still manageable but requires maximum attention—individuals with signs of mental disorders exhibit a higher average heart rate, resulting in a more pronounced and distinct pattern of heart rate variability,' explains Evgeniia Alshanskaia, Junior Research Fellow at the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience.
A key aspect of the experiment was the comparison of data obtained using EEG and PPG. Although EEG is traditionally regarded as a more reliable method for measuring heart rate variability, the study indicated that PPG might be a more sensitive tool for assessing depression and anxiety. The scientists attribute this to the specific characteristics of the sympathetic nervous system.
'Under stress, noradrenaline, which is linked to attention, is activated first, followed by the activation of adrenaline, which prepares the body for action and triggers the "fight or flight" response. Our heart rate increases, and our blood pressure rises. Noradrenaline also acts on receptors that induce vasoconstriction. At this stage, changes in the pulse wave can be observed using PPG. Only afterward is adrenaline released from the adrenal glands, which amplifies and prolongs the body's stress response, causing the heart to beat faster. Subsequently, changes are observed on the ECG. This indicates that PPG is a relatively reliable method that is also more accessible, faster, and informative compared to ECG,' according to Alshanskaia.
The study demonstrates that changes in heart rate in response to increasing cognitive load can serve as an early biomarker for anxiety and depressive disorders. Additionally, the findings from the experiment open new opportunities for developing algorithms for wearable devices and applications that can monitor a person’s psychological state in real time. Early, personalised, and non-invasive diagnosis of depressive and anxiety disorders through heart rate analysis could significantly transform the approaches to treatment and prevention of mental health conditions in the future.
The study was conducted within the framework of the Strategic Project 'Success and Self-Sustainability of the Individual in a Changing World' (Priority 2030 programme).
See also:
Children with Autism Process Auditory Information Differently
A team of scientists, including researchers from the HSE Centre for Language and Brain, examined specific aspects of auditory perception in children with autism. The scientists observed atypical alpha rhythm activity both during sound perception and at rest. This suggests that these children experience abnormalities in the early stages of sound processing in the brain's auditory cortex. Over time, these abnormalities can result in language difficulties. The study findings have been published in Brain Structure and Function.
Smartphones Not Used for Digital Learning among Russian School Students
Despite the widespread use of smartphones, teachers have not fully integrated them into the teaching and learning process, including for developing students' digital skills. Irina Dvoretskaya, Research Fellow at the HSE Institute of Education, has examined the patterns of mobile device use for learning among students in grades 9 to 11.
Working while Studying Can Increase Salary and Chances of Success
Research shows that working while studying increases the likelihood of employment after graduation by 19% and boosts salary by 14%. One in two students has worked for at least a month while studying full time. The greatest benefits come from being employed during the final years of study, when students have the opportunity to begin working in their chosen field. These findings come from a team of authors at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences.
Beauty in Details: HSE University and AIRI Scientists Develop a Method for High-Quality Image Editing
Researchers from theHSE AI Research Centre, AIRI, and the University of Bremen have developed a new image editing method based on deep learning—StyleFeatureEditor. This tool allows for precise reproduction of even the smallest details in an image while preserving them during the editing process. With its help, users can easily change hair colour or facial expressions without sacrificing image quality. The results of this three-party collaboration were published at the highly-cited computer vision conference CVPR 2024.
HSE Scientists Have Examined Potential Impact of Nuclear Power on Sustainable Development
Researchers at HSE University have developed a set of mathematical models to predict the impact of nuclear power on the Sustainable Development Index. If the share of nuclear power in the global energy mix increases to between 20% and 25%, the global Sustainable Development Index (SDI) is projected to grow by one-third by 2050. In scenarios where the share of nuclear power grows more slowly, the increase in the SDI is found to be lower. The study has been published in Nuclear Energy and Technology.
HSE Scientists Have Developed a New Model of Electric Double Layer
This new model accounts for a wide range of ion-electrode interactions and predicts a device's ability to store electric charge. The model's theoretical predictions align with the experimental results. Data on the behaviour of the electric double layer (EDL) can aid in the development of more efficient supercapacitors for portable electronics and electric vehicles. The study has been published in ChemPhysChem.
Psychologists from HSE University Discovered How Love for Animals Affects Relationships with People
Researchers from HSE University have identified a connection between attachment to pets and attitudes toward nature and other people. The study found that the more joy people derive from interacting with their pets, the more they want to help others. However, love for animals is not always associated with concern for nature. The findings were published in the Social Psychology and Society journal.
Researchers at HSE in St Petersburg Develop Superior Machine Learning Model for Determining Text Topics
Topic models are machine learning algorithms designed to analyse large text collections based on their topics. Scientists at HSE Campus in St Petersburg compared five topic models to determine which ones performed better. Two models, including GLDAW developed by the Laboratory for Social and Cognitive Informatics at HSE Campus in St Petersburg, made the lowest number of errors. The paper has been published in PeerJ Computer Science.
Narcissistic and Workaholic Leaders Guide Young Firms to Success
Scientists at HSE University—St. Petersburg studied how the founder's personal characteristics impact a young firm's performance. It turns out that a narcissist and workaholic who also fosters innovation will effectively grow their company. The paper has been published in IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management.
Biologists at HSE University Warn of Potential Errors in MicroRNA Overexpression Method
Researchers at HSE University and the RAS Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry have discovered that a common method of studying genes, which relies on the overexpression of microRNAs, can produce inaccurate results. This method is widely used in the study of various pathologies, in particular cancers. Errors in experiments can lead to incorrect conclusions, affecting the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The study findings have been published in BBA.