Changes in the level of activity of the peripheral autonomic nervous system often mirror arousal changes in the central nervous system

Arousal is both a behavioral and psychological construct. An aroused organism is alert. It is prepared to process incoming stimuli. An unaroused organism is comatose. It is not prepared to process stimuli and is unaware of of stimuli. Psychologically, arousal also refers to the excitatory state or the propensity of neurons to discharge when appropriately activated (neuronal preparation).
Changes in the level of activity of the peripheral autonomic nervous system often mirror arousal changes in the central nervous system.

The ability to sustain attention is termed vigilance. Arousal and vigilance are closely linked so that when arousal wanes, vigilance diminishes and vice versa.
By Richard J. Davidson, Kenneth Hugdahl
Published 1995
MIT Press

Cerebral dominance

735 pages

ISBN:0262540797