内受容感覚の予測的符号化

―福島論文へのコメント―

抄録

Interoception means neural processing and subjective perception of signals from inner body, including organs and autonomic, endocrine, and immune systems. Interoception has been thought to play critical roles in emergence of emotions, decision-making, and mental and physical well-being. Though associations between interoception and dysfunctional mental and physical health such as anxiety and Alexithymia have been reported, the empirical findings are still mixed. This article proposes a computational model of interoception on the basis of the principle of predictive coding, to provide integrated accounts of the findings of interoception and health. Simulations using the model suggested that 1) hypersensitive and inaccurate bodily sensation in anxiety might be rooted in lower precision of bodily signals and exaggerated transmission of bodily signals to the brain, and 2) inaccurate interoception and chronic unpleasant feeling in Alexithymia might be caused by lower precision of bodily signals and dysfunctional communication between the brain and body. Suggestions for future studies on interoception are also discussed.