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Anterior insular cortex plays a critical role in interoceptive attention
This 2019 study assessed the involvement of the anterior insular cortex (AIC), which mediates interoceptive attention (attention towards physiological signals arising from the body), in interoceptive attention in healthy subjects. The necessity of the AIC in interoceptive attention was also tested by recruiting patients with AIC lesions. Interoceptive attention was determined by using functional magnetic resonance imaging while a novel task was employed – one that directs attention towards breathing rhythm. The results indicated interoceptive attention was associated with increased activation of the AIC. Moreover, the enhanced coupling between the AIC and somatosensory areas, as well as the reduced coupling between the AIC and visual sensory areas were observed. AIC activation was predictive of individual differences in interoceptive accuracy. Importantly, the study found that interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity was disrupted in patients with AIC lesions, providing compelling evidence that the AIC indeed plays a critical role in interoceptive attention.[NPID: interoception, interoceptive awareness, insula, anterior insular cortex, AIC, interoceptive attention, insula lesions, breathing rhythm, interoceptive accuracy]
Year: 2019
