Mohr, P. N. C. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2026

Slow breathing impacts inter-organ dynamics modulating brain function and risk behavior

Successful decision-making requires that external information be interpreted in the context of the bodys state. Within the framework of body-brain interaction, deliberately modifying ones autonomic state can shape how we evaluate the world, ultimately influencing choices. Yet, it remains unclear whether and how intentional autonomic regulation affects human decision-making. In this study, we tested instructed prolonged exhalation, a slow-breathing technique designed to boost parasympathetic activity during risky decision-making. Participants followed distinct breathing protocols while making risky choices, with neural and physiological activity measured using fMRI and multi-channel monitoring. Prolonged exhalation increased risky choices by enhancing reward sensitivity and elevating cardiac parasympathetic activity. Importantly, individuals with greater parasympathetic upregulation also showed stronger reward-related responses in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and precuneus. Our work reveals a transformative role for breathing-based interventions, demonstrating that breathing-based autonomic regulation can shape value-based decision-making through neuro-cardiac pathways. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=107 SRC="FIGDIR/small/698695v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (24K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@190293corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1835c63org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1267ff3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9a583e_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HIGHLIGHTSO_LIProlonged exhalation increases risky decisions by increasing the reward sensitivity C_LIO_LIProlonged exhalation enhances cardiac parasympathetic activity without dampening sympathetic activities C_LIO_LIGreater cardiac parasympathetic activity under prolonged exhalation amplifies neural reward sensitivity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and precuneus C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Neuro-metabolic pathways of high-protein meal reducing food craving

Across species, high-protein foods have been shown to reduce appetite throughout the day. Although higher protein intake alters multiple metabolic responses, the exact neuro-metabolic mechanisms underlying food craving remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether a protein-rich diet modulates plasma tyrosine dynamics, the precursor of dopamine, thereby altering dopaminergic brain activity and reducing food craving in humans. In this within-subject, cross-over study, 30 healthy participants (age, Mean=23.63, SD=3.23 years) were provided with either a high- or low-protein/carbohydrate breakfast. Three and a half hours after breakfast, participants viewed high-or low caloric food images while undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and their subjective food craving was assessed using the validated Food Craving Questionnaire- State version. Through the experimental procedure, plasma tyrosine levels were continuously monitored. Our results show that the high-protein/carbohydrate breakfast significantly enhanced plasma tyrosine levels, which were negatively associated with subjective food craving several hours after meal intake. Importantly, we observed significantly stronger midbrain activity following the high-protein/carbohydrate breakfast, which was associated with greater reduction in subjective food craving. Furthermore, we analyzed brain gradients that characterize spatial patterns of large-scale neural activity, allowing us to examine the entire process underlying dietary choices at the whole-brain level. Compared with the low-protein/carbohydrate breakfast, the high-protein/carbohydrate breakfast reduced whole-brain functional reorganization, indicating lower neural sensitivity to high- versus low-caloric food stimuli. Notably, the degree of this high-protein/carbohydrate induced brain-state shift was related to the reduction in food craving. Together, these results provide strong evidence that high-protein/carbohydrate meals modulate dopaminergic mechanisms and large-scale whole-brain neural reorganization, contributing to reduced food craving throughout the day in humans.

neuroscience↗