Confirmatory evidence that healthy individuals can adaptively adjust prior expectations and interoceptive precision estimates

Theoretical proposals have previously been put forward regarding the computational basis of interoception. Following on this, we recently reported using an active inference approach to 1) quantitatively simulate interoceptive computation, and 2) fit the model to behavior on a cardiac awareness task. In the present work, we attempted to replicate our previous results in an independent group of healthy participants. We provide evidence confirming our previous finding that healthy individuals adaptively adjust prior expectations and interoceptive sensory precision estimates based on task context. This offers further support for the utility of computational approaches to characterizing the dynamics of interoceptive processing.

Some Compliments (and Insults) Are More Heartfelt

Previous research suggests that individuals with increased awareness of internal bodily states (i.e., high interoceptive awareness) are more sensitive to emotional stimuli, particularly stimuli that are negative or threatening. Concurrently, there is increasing evidence that words that are more body-referent (e.g., bonehead) are processed faster, perceived more accurately, and generate larger neuroelectrical signals than those that are less body-referent (e.g., idiot). The present study examined individual differences in interoceptive awareness (IA) to these more embodied words. While electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded, participants passively viewed insults, compliments, and neutral stimuli, half of which were more embodied (e.g., bonehead, beautiful) and half of which were less embodied (e.g., idiot, friendly). Results showed that the high perceivers generated a larger P2 to embodied compliments than less embodied compliments while average perceivers generated a larger P2 to embodied insults than to less embodied insults. The results provide preliminary evidence that good cardiac awareness is not only associated with increased sensitivity to negative stimuli, but to stimuli pertaining to the body itself.

Dissociation in How Core Autism Features Relate to Interoceptive Dimensions: Evidence from Cardiac Awareness in Children

Interoception in autism is receiving increasing research attention. Previously, differences were identified in autism on both objective and subjective measures of interoception, and an association with anxiety. Yet, it is currently unknown how interoception relates to core autism features. Here, in 49 autistic children, we consider how interoceptive accuracy (measured with heartbeat detection tasks) and sensibility (subjective judgements of awareness) relate to overall severity on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and symptom domains of social-affective and repetitive, restricted behaviors. Socio-affective features were related to interoceptive sensibility, while repetitive restricted behaviors were related to interoceptive accuracy. This dissociation suggests disparate interoceptive mechanisms for the formation and/or maintenance of autistic features.