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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2025.12.29.696920

Cardiac-sympathetic state predicts action restraint, gated by demonstrated agency

Dundon, N. M.·Rizor, E. J.·Stasiak, J.·Wang, J.·Babenko, V.·Lapate, R. C.·Grafton, S. T.
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Abstract

Withholding action until the appropriate moment is a core challenge of motivated behavior. Using beat-to-beat cardiac contractility during an incentivized reaching task, we show that cardiac-sympathetic outflow predicts action restraint. Under high-reward conditions that induce a speed-accuracy tradeoff, reduced contractility at the time of instruction preceded premature responses (false starts). Under high-loss-avoidance conditions, elevated pre-movement contractility predicted slower, more controlled initiation, but only among participants with above-median task success. These findings suggest cardiac-sympathetic engagement does not simply serve mobilization but flexibly supports context-appropriate action regulation, with recruitment for restraint gated by demonstrated agency.

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Dundon, N. M., Rizor, E. J., Stasiak, J., Wang, J., Babenko, V., Lapate, R. C., Grafton, S. T.. 2025-12-31. Cardiac-sympathetic state predicts action restraint, gated by demonstrated agency. https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.29.696920

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