Kaz Newell | 2026 I.S. Symposium
Name: Kaz Newell
Title: The Relationship Between Autonomic Functioning and Cognitive Functioning Using the COMPASS-31 as a Measure of Autonomic Functioning
Major: Neuroscience
Advisor: Grit Herzmann
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls many different functions within the body, including heart rate, breathing, digesting, and more. When it dysfunctions, all these systems are affected, but there have also been studies showing certain kinds of autonomic dysfunction are linked with lower cognitive functioning. In this study participants took the COMPASS-31 to measure general autonomic functioning. Then participants completed the CogniFit selective attention task, the Trails A and B tests, the Symbol Digits Modality test, and the Stroop test to measure different cognitive functions. The results of each of these tests were plotted on a correlation chart with the COMPASS-31 score received. There were no significant correlations found. This lack of significance may be an error due to the sample size, or it may be due to the fact these correlations may only be present in populations with autonomic disorders. Further experimentation is needed to determine if this result is accurate and reflects in the general population or if it is inaccurate.
Posted in Symposium 2026 on May 1, 2026.
