The study of interoception is a recent and rapidly expanding field of research with profound implications for the understanding and treatment of brain disorders. Our brains and bodies are intrinsically coupled; organs including the heart, stomach, and lungs, interact with central neural processes to influence cognitive and affective processing. Interoception is an ‘internal sense’ detailing the afferent signalling, central processing, and perception of internal bodily signals at conscious and unconscious levels. Brain disorders, encompassing both neurological and clinical conditions, have historically been studied by examining changes in behaviour and their underlying neural mechanisms. The role of the body, and body-brain integration, has been largely neglected, despite the prevalence of body-based symptoms and the high comorbidity been physical and mental conditions.
This Advanced Course will (1) detail contemporary models characterising interoception across neural, behavioural, and higher-order levels, incorporating both conscious and unconscious processing, (2) discuss the role of interoception in aspects of fundamental cognition, including consciousness, reward, and emotion, and (3) examine interoceptive mechanisms in relation to brain disorders, with a particular focus on an array of neurological and clinical conditions, including, but not limited to, functional neurological disorder, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Understanding the role of interoception in the aetiology of neurological and clinical brain disorders isolates novel mechanisms, with exciting possibilities for new treatment targets.
The Programme is offered in the framework of the Advanced Neuroscience Courses initiative of the Neuroscience School of Advanced Studies. The Advanced Courses are carefully designed and orchestrated to maximize the potential for interactio between the Faculty and participants in a very friendly and unintimidating manner. This will allow the participants to develop insights that will create fresh perspectives in your own field of research or clinical activity.
Info available at the specific webpage of the initiative.