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:
Immune System Error: How Antibodies in Multiple Sclerosis Mistake Their Targets
Researchers at HSE University and the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCh RAS) have studied how the immune system functions in multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease in which the body's own antibodies attack its nerve fibres. By comparing blood samples from MS patients and healthy individuals, scientists have discovered that the immune system in MS patients can mistake viral proteins for those of nerve cells. Several key proteins have also been identified that could serve as new biomarkers for the disease and aid in its diagnosis. The study has been published in Frontiers in Immunology. The research was conducted with support from the Russian Science Foundation.
Scientists Develop Effective Microlasers as Small as a Speck of Dust
Researchers at HSE University–St Petersburg have discovered a way to create effective microlasers with diameters as small as 5 to 8 micrometres. They operate at room temperature, require no cooling, and can be integrated into microchips. The scientists relied on the whispering gallery effect to trap light and used buffer layers to reduce energy leakage and stress. This approach holds promise for integrating lasers into microchips, sensors, and quantum technologies. The study has been published in Technical Physics Letters.
HSE Scientists Test New Method to Investigate Mechanisms of New Word Acquisition
Researchers at the HSE Centre for Language and Brain were among the first to use transcranial alternating current stimulation to investigate whether it can influence the acquisition of new words. Although the authors of the experiment have not yet found a link between brain stimulation and word acquisition, they believe that adjusting the stimulation parameters may yield different results in the future. The study has been published in Language, Cognition and Neuroscience.
Twenty vs Ten: HSE Researcher Examines Origins of Numeral System in Lezgic Languages
It is commonly believed that the Lezgic languages spoken in Dagestan and Azerbaijan originally used a vigesimal numeral system, with the decimal system emerging later. However, a recent analysis of numerals in various dialects, conducted by linguist Maksim Melenchenko from HSE University, suggests that the opposite may be true: the decimal system was used originally, with the vigesimal system developing later. The study has been published in Folia Linguistica.
HSE University–St Petersburg and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Release First Book of Mirror Laboratory
Malaysia hosted the AHIBS 'Weaving Horizons for Sustainable Impact' international conference, which featured the presentation of the first Russian–Malaysian book of research articles.
Scientists Rank Russian Regions by Climate Risk Levels
Researchers from HSE University and the Russian Academy of Sciences have assessed the levels of climate risks across Russian regions. Using five key climate risks—heatwaves, water stress, wildfires, extreme precipitation, and permafrost degradation—the scientists ranked the country’s regions according to their need for adaptation to climate change. Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk Region, and Sverdlovsk Region rank among the highest for four of the five climate risks considered. The study has been published in Science of the Total Environment.
HSE University to Host BRICS International School: New Generation
Registration for the BRICS International School: New Generation, one of the leading international educational projects aimed at prospective leaders interested in the agenda of global development and cooperation within the framework of BRICS, has opened.
HSE University Strengthens Ties with Peking University
On July 21, 2025, representatives from Peking University led by Zhang Jin, Vice President of Peking University and Chancellor of Shenzhen Graduate School, paid a visit to HSE University. The delegation included forty students, teachers, and administrators. During their visit, leaders from both universities discussed potential areas for future collaboration, and representatives from three HSE University departments held meetings with Chinese students.
HSE University Brings Together Researchers at International AI Summer Institute in Shanghai
In early July 2025, the International Summer Institute on Artificial Intelligence in Education took place in Shanghai. It was organised by the HSE Institute of Education in cooperation with East China Normal University (ECNU). More than 50 early-career researchers and keynote speakers from nine countries—ranging from Russia and China to Canada and Singapore—gathered to share the latest findings from their work and to forge new international partnerships.
'We Are Now Nearing Practical Application of a Stimulus-Free Brain-Mapping System'
Neural interfaces developed by scientists at HSE University in collaboration with clinicians make it possible to communicate with the brain and decode its signals. The use of such interfaces opens up opportunities to stimulate brain activity, restore and normalise muscle control in patients who have suffered a stroke, heart attack, or other neurological disorders, and support the rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain injuries or limb loss. Alexey Ossadtchi, Director of the Centre for Bioelectric Interfaces at the HSE Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, discusses the centre and its work.