interoception

Pupillary manifolds: uncovering the latent geometrical structures behind phasic changes in pupil size. We show that phasic changes in pupil size are inherently low-dimensional: they can be reconducted to a latent manifold that efficiently represents autonomic balance.

Abstract The size of the pupils reflects directly the balance of different branches of the autonomic nervous system. This measure is inexpensive, non-invasive, and has provided invaluable insights on a wide range of mental processes, from attention to emotion and executive functions.

Pupillometry as a biomarker of Mind-Wandering (MW): a review We review the studies that used pupillometry as a biomarker for mind-wandering (MW), highlight the key challenges encountered, and provide recommendations for future research.

Phasic changes in pupil size are strikingly low-dimensional! In a new preprint, we show that very different tasks and processes map onto a very similar, low-dimensional latent space. We suggest that phasic changes in pupil size originate from a set of distinctive fingerprints that describe a pupillary manifold: a latent space that is highly constrained by the underlying physiological structures, i.e. the balance between different branches of the ANS.

Mind-wandering (MW) refers to the shift of attention away from an ongoing task and/or external environment towards mental contents (e.g., memories, prospective thoughts) unrelated to the task. Physiological measures (e.g., pupil size, EEG, and fMRI) have often been acquired as objective markers for MW states, which has greatly helped their study as well as triangulation with other measures.

Math Anxiety (MA) consists of excessive fear and worry about math-related situations. It represents a major barrier to numerical competence and the pursuit of STEM careers. Yet, we currently do not dispose of many tools that can capture its multifaceted nature, e.

Can pupil size detect signatures of math anxiety in young adults? In a new preprint we attempt to respond to the question. In short: math anxiety and low math performance are deeply ingrained in young adults, which makes it hard to disentangle these two aspects. Pupillometry does show, however, that cognitive effort is prolonged, rather than accentuated, in young adults with high levels of test (i.e., performance) anxiety.

Spatial attention can be magnetically attracted by behaviorally salient stimuli. This phenomenon occasionally conflicts with behavioral goals, leading to maladaptive consequences, as in the case of addiction, in which attentional biases have been described and linked with clinically meaningful variables, such as craving level or dependence intensity.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the peripersonal space (PPS) constitutes a privileged area for efficient processing of proximal stimuli, allowing to flexibly adapt our behavior both to the physical and social environment.

Somatic inputs originating from bioregulatory processes can guide cognition and behavior. One such bodily signal, mostly overlooked so far, is represented by visuo-vestibular coupling and its alteration, which in extreme cases may result in motion sickness.