Interaction between inflammation and interoception in the modulation of brain-body communication: results from experimental clinical models

Understanding the intricate relationship between inflammatory activity, interoception, and mental health has become a topic of great importance in the context of the mind-body problem. The mind-body problem refers to the philosophical inquiry into the relationship between the mind, which encompasses mental processes and consciousness, and the body, which includes physiological functions and biological processes. Understanding how inflammatory activity and interoception intersect with mental health provides valuable insights into the mind-body connection. Indeed, inflammation has been recognized as a significant contributor to various psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments. Concurrently, interoception, the perception and awareness of internal bodily sensations, has emerged as a critical factor in regulating emotional and cognitive processes. The present PhD project begins with a systematic review examining the effect of inflammation on the hippocampus and its associated cognitive functions, encompassing both clinical conditions such as systemic diseases (breast cancer, HIV, stroke) and psychiatric/neurodegenerative disorders (depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's), as well as healthy conditions. Subsequently, two empirical studies will be discussed to show how interoceptive variables can modulate, on one hand, behavioral responses triggered by an immune challenge, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, and on the other hand, the experience and quality of consciousness in individuals with insomnia.