The role of the insular cortex in interoceptive processes in mental health disorders

Mental health disorders are among the most common forms of disease and create some of the highest levels of global
disease burden. Deficits in treatment are likely due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms underlying these
disorders. My PhD will focus on using experimental approaches to integrate the cognitive and neural mechanisms of
interoceptive processing. Interoception is the processing of bodily signals and is a transdiagnostic feature that is altered
in a range of mental health disorders. Respiration is an important interoceptive modality that is particularly associated
with feelings of anxiety and anxiety disorders. The insular cortex and its sub-regions have been identified as a hub for a
range of interoceptive processes. However, to date, little research has integrated abnormal cognitive and biological
respiratory interoception in clinical populations. My project will 1) use fMRI to identify the neural correlates of altered
respiratory interoception in anxiety disorders and other forms of psychopathology, with a specific focus on the insula; and
2) use non-invasive Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (TUS) to temporarily inhibit the insula and measure the effects
this has on neural and behavioural respiratory interoception in those with mental health disorders and healthy controls.
This will combine established and novel techniques to build a better model of how the brain is altered in mental health
conditions, which will help to improve treatment options.