The effect of anxiety on respiratory sensory gating measured by respiratory-related evoked potentials

Respiratory sensory gating is evidenced by decreased amplitudes of the respiratory-related evoked potentials (RREP) N1 peak for the second (S2) compared to the first occlusion (S1) when two paired occlusions are presented with a 500-millisecond (ms) inter-stimulus-interval during one inspiration. Because anxiety is prevalent in respiratory diseases and associated with altered respiratory perception, we tested whether anxiety can modulate individuals’ respiratory neural gating mechanism.By using high-density EEG, RREPs were measured in a paired inspiratory occlusion paradigm in 11 low and 10 higher anxious individuals with normal lung function.The N1 peak gating S2/S1 ratio and the N1 S2 amplitudes were greater in higher compared to low anxious individuals (p's < 0.05). In addition, higher anxiety levels were correlated with greater S2/S1 ratios (r = 0.54, p < 0.05) and S2 amplitudes (r = −0.49, p < 0.05).The results demonstrate that anxiety is associated with reduced respiratory sensory gating which might underlie altered respiratory symptom perception in anxious individuals.

► We examined the modulation effect of anxiety on respiratory sensory gating.
► We measured respiratory gating with paired inspiratory occlusions.
► The RREP N1 peak gating function was lower in higher anxious individuals.
► State anxiety is associated with reduced respiratory gating function.