INTEROCEPTIVE CORTICAL HEMODYNAMICS IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND PATIENTS WITH DISORDERS OF CONSCIOUSNESS: A PILOT STUDY

Authors : Merve Alökten

Pages : 170-180

Doi:10.54270/atljm.2025.93

View : 117 | Download : 414

Publication Date : 2025-10-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate cortical oxyhemoglobin (HbO) responses measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during resting state and a heartbeat counting task in healthy individuals and patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). The study sought to provide preliminary insights into the relationship between interoceptive processes and mechanisms of consciousness, and to contribute to the development of biomarkers independent of behavioral measures. Materials and Methods: Thirteen healthy individuals and six DoC patients, matched for age, sex, and education, were included. fNIRS measurements were obtained from frontal and parietotemporal regions using a 35-channel NIRScout device. Resting-state recordings consisted of 7 minutes with eyes closed, while interoception was assessed with Schandry’s heartbeat counting paradigm. ΔHbO responses were preprocessed with Homer3 software and analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups during the resting condition. In healthy individuals, the heartbeat counting task was associated with significant decreases in ΔHbO levels in the left and mid-frontal regions. In the DoC group, no differences were found between resting and task conditions. Between-group comparisons revealed that healthy participants showed lower ΔHbO values in the left and right temporoparietal regions compared to the DoC group. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated significant hemodynamic changes in frontal and temporoparietal regions during interoceptive tasks in healthy individuals, whereas no task-related responses were observed in DoC patients. Differences in the temporoparietal regions highlight their critical role in interoceptive awareness and conscious experience. Despite the limited sample size, the findings suggest that fNIRS may contribute to the development of potential biomarkers for disorders of consciousness.
Keywords : İnterosepsiyon, Hemodinamikler, Fonksiyonel Yakın Kızılötesi Spektroskopisi, Bilinç Bozuklukları

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL