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ENeuro Jan 2023Interoceptive awareness, an awareness of the internal body state, guides adaptive behavior by providing ongoing information on body signals, such as heart rate and...
Interoceptive awareness, an awareness of the internal body state, guides adaptive behavior by providing ongoing information on body signals, such as heart rate and energy status. However, it is still unclear how interoceptive awareness of different body organs are represented in the human brain. Hence, we directly compared the neural activations accompanying attention to cardiac (related to heartbeat) and gastric (related to stomach) sensations, which generate cardiac and gastric interoceptive awareness, in the same population (healthy humans, = 31). Participants were asked to direct their attention toward heart and stomach sensations and become aware of them in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The results indicated that the neural activations underlying gastric attention encompassed larger brain regions, including the occipitotemporal visual cortices, bilateral primary motor cortices, primary somatosensory cortex, left orbitofrontal cortex, and hippocampal regions. Cardiac attention, however, selectively activated the right anterior insula extending to the frontal operculum compared with gastric attention. Moreover, our detailed analyses focusing on the insula, the most relevant region for interoceptive awareness, revealed that the left dorsal middle insula encoded cardiac and gastric attention via different activation patterns, but the posterior insula did not. Our results demonstrate that cardiac and gastric attention evoke different brain activation patterns; in particular, the selective activation may reflect differences in the functional roles of cardiac and gastric interoceptive awareness.
Topics: Humans; Awareness; Brain Mapping; Interoception; Brain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Cerebral Cortex; Stomach; Heart Rate
PubMed: 36653188
DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0157-22.2023 -
BMC Emergency Medicine May 2020Situation awareness and decision making, listed in non-technical skills taxonomies, are critical for effective and safe performance in high-risk professions. These... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Situation awareness and decision making, listed in non-technical skills taxonomies, are critical for effective and safe performance in high-risk professions. These cognitive skills and their behavioral markers have been studied less in emergency medical services (EMS) crew members. This paper aims to review the existing literature and identify important aspects and behavioral markers of situation awareness and decision making in EMS crew members - those who work in the role of prehospital emergency care providers - and to synthesize findings as a basis for developing a rating and training tool.
METHOD
The search for relevant articles was conducted using electronic databases, reference lists of relevant reviews and included articles and personal collection of articles. The selection process based on the PRISMA statement yielded a total of 30 articles that met the eligibility criteria. Their findings were qualitatively synthesized using the structured approach, informed by the already known structure: situation awareness and its elements (gathering information, interpreting information, anticipating future states), decision making and its elements (generating and considering options, selecting and implementing an option, reviewing outcome/decision). Moreover, the element of maintaining standards also emerged as highly relevant for cognitive skills.
RESULTS
This review found an increased research interest in the non-technical cognitive skills of EMS crew members. The majority of included articles' research designs were qualitative, then mixed, Delphi, and quantitative. It revealed several specifics of cognitive skills, such as EMS crew members need to holistically assess a wide range of cues and information, to make various health- and safety-related decisions and take EMS standards into account. However, there was only a limited number of observable markers of cognitive skills, such as acts and verbalizations, that could be considered as examples of good behavior. In addition, findings indicate a lack of articles focused on mass-casualty incidents and the interconnection of cognitive skills with other non-technical and medical skills.
CONCLUSION
Further research is needed to get a more comprehensive view of behavioral markers of cognitive skills and to develop a rating and training tool to improve EMS crew members' cognitive performance.
Topics: Awareness; Cognition; Decision Making; Emergency Medical Technicians; Humans
PubMed: 32471352
DOI: 10.1186/s12873-020-00330-1 -
PloS One 2023Within consciousness research, the most appropriate assessment of visual awareness is matter of a controversial debate: Subjective measures rely on introspections of the...
Within consciousness research, the most appropriate assessment of visual awareness is matter of a controversial debate: Subjective measures rely on introspections of the observer related to perceptual experiences, whereas objective measures are based on performance of the observer to accurately detect or discriminate the stimulus in question across a series of trials. In the present study, we compared subjective and objective awareness measurements across different stimulus feature and contrast levels using a temporal two-alternative forced choice task. This task has the advantage to provide an objective psychophysical performance measurement, while minimizing biases from unconscious processing. Thresholds based on subjective ratings with the Perceptual Awareness Scale (PAS) and on performance accuracy were determined for detection (stimulus presence) and discrimination (letter case) tasks at high and low stimulus contrast. We found a comparable pattern of thresholds across tasks and contrasts for objective and subjective measurements of awareness. These findings suggest that objective performance measures based on accuracy and subjective ratings of the visual experience can provide similar information on the feature-content of a percept. The observed similarity of thresholds validates psychophysical and subjective approaches to awareness as providing converging and thus most likely veridical measures of awareness.
Topics: Visual Perception; Awareness; Consciousness
PubMed: 37788260
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292438 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2023Information can be perceived from a multiplicity of spatial perspectives, which is central to effectively understanding and interacting with our environment and other...
Information can be perceived from a multiplicity of spatial perspectives, which is central to effectively understanding and interacting with our environment and other people. Interoception, the sense of the physiological state of our body, is also a fundamental component contributing to our perception. However, whether the perception of our inner body signals influences our ability to adopt and flexibly change between different spatial perspectives remains poorly understood. To investigate this, 90 participants completed tasks assessing multiple dimensions of interoception (interoceptive sensibility, cardiac interoceptive accuracy and awareness) and the Graphesthesia task to assess tactile spatial perspective-taking and its flexibility. The results revealed that higher cardiac interoceptive awareness is associated with greater consistency in adopting a perspective decentred from the self. Second, higher cardiac interoceptive accuracy was associated with slower and less accurate performance in switching from a decentred to an egocentred perspective. These results show that interoceptive abilities facilitate decentred spatial perspective-taking, likely reflecting stronger perceived boundaries between internal states and the external world.
Topics: Humans; Awareness; Heart Rate; Touch; Touch Perception; Interoception
PubMed: 37344510
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36173-6 -
Optimizing Mental Health for Women: Recognizing and Treating Mood Disorders Throughout the Lifespan.The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Sep 2023Mood disorders can come and go during the reproductive stages of a woman's life and beyond and can include premenstrual-related mood disorders, depression and other...
Mood disorders can come and go during the reproductive stages of a woman's life and beyond and can include premenstrual-related mood disorders, depression and other psychiatric disorders during pregnancy, postpartum mood disorders, and depression during menopause, as well as comorbid psychiatric conditions. Women may have regular contact with health care providers at these various stages in their lives, providing an opportunity for treatment intervention. However, clinicians struggle to effectively identify and manage these disorders, leaving women's mental health issues unaddressed and causing unnecessary suffering, multiple comorbidities, and unwanted outcomes. Context is essential for diagnoses and treatment, and spending time with patients, taking a full history, and taking the time to understand each patient's perspective during these complex periods lead to more accurate diagnoses, ultimately facilitating more effective treatment plans. An array of options is available for treating women's mental health, including antidepressants, oral contraceptives, hormones and recently approved neurosteroids, and nonpharmacological approaches. Clinicians need to be aware of which treatment options are available and evidence-based, guideline-directed solutions to help women manage their mental health. Creating patient-centered, individualized, evidence-based treatment plans is key to optimizing outcomes for women across their lifespan.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Mood Disorders; Mental Health; Longevity; Affect; Awareness; Puerperal Disorders
PubMed: 37728480
DOI: 10.4088/JCP.vtsmdd2136ahc -
Scientific Reports Jun 2021Accurate localization of touch requires the integration of two reference frames-an internal (e.g., anatomical) and an external (e.g., spatial). Using a tactile temporal...
Accurate localization of touch requires the integration of two reference frames-an internal (e.g., anatomical) and an external (e.g., spatial). Using a tactile temporal order judgement task with the hands crossed over the midline, we investigated the integration of these two reference frames. We manipulated the reliability of the visual and vestibular information, both of which contribute to the external reference frame. Visual information was manipulated between experiments (Experiment 1 was done with full vision and Experiment 2 was done while wearing a blindfold). Vestibular information was manipulated in both experiments by having the two groups of participants complete the task in both an upright posture and one where they were lying down on their side. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model, we estimated the perceptual weight applied to these reference frames. Lying participants on their side reduced the weight applied to the external reference frame and produced a smaller deficit; blindfolding resulted in similar reductions. These findings reinforce the importance of the visual system when weighting tactile reference frames, and highlight the importance of the vestibular system in this integration.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Awareness; Female; Humans; Male; Models, Biological; Posture; Space Perception; Touch Perception
PubMed: 34188078
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92192-1 -
Neurobiology of Aging Jul 2020Contingency awareness is thought to rely on an intact medial temporal lobe and also appears to be a function of age, as older subjects tend to be less aware. The current...
Contingency awareness is thought to rely on an intact medial temporal lobe and also appears to be a function of age, as older subjects tend to be less aware. The current investigation used functional magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial direct current stimulation, and eyeblink classical conditioning to study brain processes related to contingency awareness as a function of age. Older adults were significantly less aware of the relationship between the tone-airpuff pairings than younger adults. Greater right parietal functional magnetic resonance imaging activation was associated with higher levels of contingency awareness for younger and older subjects. Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the right parietal lobe led to lower levels of awareness in younger subjects without disrupting conditioned responses. Older adults exhibited hyperactivations in the parietal and medial temporal lobes, despite showing no conditioning deficits. These findings strongly support the idea that the parietal cortex serves as a substrate for contingency awareness and that age-related disruption of this region is sufficient to impair awareness, which may be a manifestation of some form of naturally occurring age-related neglect.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aging; Awareness; Blinking; Conditioning, Classical; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Parietal Lobe; Temporal Lobe; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Young Adult
PubMed: 32241582
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.02.024 -
Cortex; a Journal Devoted To the Study... May 2023Evidence suggests that damage to the frontal lobes can be associated with changes in cognitive and behavioral functioning and reduced awareness that such changes have...
BACKGROUND
Evidence suggests that damage to the frontal lobes can be associated with changes in cognitive and behavioral functioning and reduced awareness that such changes have occurred. In the current study, the Cognitive Awareness Model was used as a theoretical framework to explore knowledge of the self in people with acquired frontal lesions.
METHODS
Fifteen individuals with focal frontal lobe lesions (FFL) and their nominated informants were compared with fifteen healthy matched control-informant dyads on questionnaire measures designed to assess awareness of difficulties. Questionnaires were adapted to ensure all enabled pre- and post-injury perspectives to be gained from both patient and informant, and to allow novel exploration of awareness of deficits from a third person perspective.
RESULTS
Individuals with frontal lobe lesions showed adequate awareness of their post-surgery changes, which was substantiated by their informant report. Compared to the control group, the patient group was found to acknowledge more difficulties in current functioning. Perspective-taking ability was limited with both patients and controls being comparatively unreliable in assessing how they were perceived by others.
CONCLUSION
These results demonstrate that FLL patients are engaging in more atypical behaviors compared to healthy controls, but suggest that they are aware of and acknowledge these difficulties. The importance of obtaining multiple viewpoints when examining an individual's level of awareness and the clinical implications of this are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Awareness; Neuropsychological Tests; Self Concept; Frontal Lobe; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 36965336
DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.02.006 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023This paper provides an overview of cognitive radio technology and its applications in the field of civil aviation. Cognitive radio technology is a relatively new and... (Review)
Review
This paper provides an overview of cognitive radio technology and its applications in the field of civil aviation. Cognitive radio technology is a relatively new and emerging field that allows for dynamic spectrum access and efficient use of spectrum resources. In the context of civil aviation, cognitive radio technology has the potential to enable more efficient use of the limited radio spectrum available for communication and navigation purposes. This paper examines the current state of cognitive radio technology, including ongoing research and development efforts, regulatory issues, and potential challenges to widespread adoption. The potential applications of cognitive radio technology in civil aviation are also explored, including improved spectrum utilization, increased safety and security, and enhanced situational awareness. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of future research directions and the potential impact of cognitive radio technology on the future of civil aviation. It is hoped that this paper will serve as a useful resource for researchers, engineers, and policy makers interested in the emerging field of cognitive radio technology and its potential applications in the field of civil aviation.
Topics: Aviation; Awareness; Communication; Engineering; Technology
PubMed: 37447974
DOI: 10.3390/s23136125 -
PeerJ 2023The conscious processing of body signals influences higher-order psychological and cognitive functions, including self-awareness. Dysfunctions in the processing of these...
The conscious processing of body signals influences higher-order psychological and cognitive functions, including self-awareness. Dysfunctions in the processing of these signals has been connected to neurological and psychiatric disorders characterized by altered states of self-consciousness. Studies indicate that perceiving the body through interoceptive signals (, from internal organs such as heartbeat and breathing) is distinct from perceiving the body through exteroceptive signals (, by relying on visual, tactile and olfactory cues). While questionnaires are available for assessing interoception, there are no validated self-report instruments for measuring bodily exterception. To fill this gap, we performed three studies to develop and validate a novel scale designed to assess bodily self-consciousness based on the processing of exteroceptive bodily signals. Exploratory factor analysis (Study 1, = 302) led to an 18-item questionnaire comprised of four factors. We called this instrument Exteroceptive Body Awareness questionnaire (EBA-q). Confirmatory factor analysis (Study 2, = 184) run on a second sample showed an acceptable fit for a bifactor model, suggesting researchers may use the questionnaire as a unidimensional scale reflecting exteroceptive bodily self-consciousness, or use each of its four sub-scales, reflecting "visuo-tactile body awareness", "spatial coordination", "awareness of body changes" and "awareness of clothing fit". Overall EBA-q showed good internal consistency. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed cross-validation with existing body awareness questionnaires (Study 3, = 366) and behavioral measures (Study 3, = 64) of exteroceptive and interoceptive bodily self-consciousness. Research applications are discussed within a multi-faceted model of exteroception and interoception as distinct, but at the same time interconnected, dimensions of bodily self-consciousness.
Topics: Humans; Awareness; Cognition; Self Report; Consciousness; Cues
PubMed: 37641601
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15382