Meeting Banner
Abstract #0836

Resting State Interoception Network Integrates Multi-Organ Representations Via Peripheral Neural Pathways

Fatimah M. Alkaabi1,2, Xiaokai Wang1, Minkyu Choi3, and Zhongming Liu1,3
1Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States, 2Biomedical Engineering, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal Universiry, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, 3Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Small Animals, Brain, Body, Brain Connectivity, Small Animals, Animals, fMRI Acquisition, fMRI Analysis, fMRI (resting state), fMRI Acquisition, fMRI Analysis, Functional Connectivity, Nerves, Nervous System, Neuro, Neuroscience, Preclinical

Motivation: The brain senses and regulates internal organs through interoception, but the specific network involved, its organ representations and neural origins remain unclear.

Goal(s): We aim to map the interoception network in the rat brain using resting-state fMRI, evaluate its interactions with other networks, determine how it represents bodily signals, and assess its functional dependence on vagal nerves.

Approach: We used seed-based correlations to map the network and assessed how bodily signals influenced its activity with the vagus nerve intact or resected.

Results: The identified interoception network engaged actively with other networks, represented multiple organs in overlapping regions, and depended on the vagal pathway.

Impact: We report that the resting brain actively processes interoceptive signals and forms overlapping representations of the heart, lungs, and gut through peripheral neural pathways. Our findings challenge the notion that bodily physiological fluctuations are vascular artifacts to fMRI.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.

Keywords