Primary Interoceptive Cortex Activity during Simulated Experiences of the Body

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Classic sensory systems show imagined experiences activate primary sensory cortex.
• The brain's predictive architecture suggests simulating internal sensations should activate interoceptive cortex.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if simulating internal bodily sensations increases neural activity in the primary interoceptive cortex.
• To determine if language-based mental imagery can drive interoceptive experiences.

Main Methods:

• Used an immersive, language-based mental imagery paradigm.
• Conducted two neuroimaging experiments where participants imagined vividly described scenarios.
• Measured neural activity, specifically focusing on the dorsal posterior insula.

Main Results:

• Significantly heightened neural activity was observed in the primary interoceptive cortex (dorsal posterior insula) during imagined internal sensations.
• This heightened activity was specific to interoceptive simulation and not found in control conditions.
• The findings support the role of language in driving bodily experiences.

Conclusions:

• Simulating internal bodily sensations activates the primary interoceptive cortex.
• This activation is specific to interoceptive simulation, highlighting the brain's predictive processing.
• Verbal descriptions can powerfully evoke and shape our internal bodily experiences.