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Posture-dependent modulation of interoceptive processing: a heartbeat evoked potential study
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  • Mayu Dohata,
  • Naotsugu Kaneko,
  • Ryogo Takahashi,
  • Yuya Suzuki,
  • Kimitaka Nakazawa
Mayu Dohata
The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Arts and Sciences College of Arts and Sciences
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Naotsugu Kaneko
The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Corresponding Author:naotsugu.kaneko@gmail.com

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Ryogo Takahashi
The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Arts and Sciences College of Arts and Sciences
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Yuya Suzuki
The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Arts and Sciences College of Arts and Sciences
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Kimitaka Nakazawa
The University of Tokyo
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Abstract

Interoception, the internal perception of bodily states such as heartbeat and hunger, plays a crucial role in shaping cognitive and emotional states. Given that postural control affects cognitive and emotional processing, exploring postural effects on interoception could help uncover the neural mechanisms underlying its effects on cognition and emotion. In this study, we aimed to investigate how different postures affect interoception by using heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEPs), which are event-related potentials indicative of heartbeat processing in the cortex. The study included 21 healthy male participants. They were asked to sit in a chair (sitting condition) and stand (standing condition) in a relaxed state. Data from 64-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were collected. The EEG data were segmented by the R-wave timing detected from the ECG data for HEP analysis. HEPs were calculated by focusing on the 350–500 ms post-R-wave interval in the central and temporal brain regions. A paired t-test was performed to compare HEP amplitudes between the sitting and standing conditions, revealing significantly lower HEP amplitudes in the standing condition than those in the sitting condition (t=2.63, p=0.016, d=0.59). Furthermore, we explored the relationship between HEP changes and physiological changes such as cardiac activity and spontaneous EEG, finding no significant correlations (p>0.05, |r|<0.26). These findings suggest that the decreased HEP amplitudes observed during standing reflect attenuated interoceptive processing probably due to a redistribution of attentional resources from internal to external sensory processing, necessary for maintaining standing posture. Thus, postural differences may influence specific neurophysiological processes linked to interoception.
30 Apr 2024Submitted to European Journal of Neuroscience
07 May 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
31 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major