We determine whether, where, and how, brain-viscera coupling occurs in humans.

Team research topics:

The brain is receiving and processing inputs from the environment through external senses such as vision and audition, but it is also bombarded with internal information from the body, in particular from  the life-sustaining cardiac, respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems. We determine whether, where, and how, brain-viscera coupling occurs in humans. We find coupling notably in regions classically associated with perception (of the external world) and action, suggesting that interoception plays a role that goes well beyond feeding or emotions. We refine and test the hypothesis that the neuronal integration of internal bodily signals with sensory or cognitive information yields conscious experiences.

We use brain imaging – most often electrophysiology (MEG & EEG, intracranial EEG in epileptic patients), but also fMRI and TMS – and physiological measures (gastric, respiratory and cardiac rhythms, electrodermal activity, pupil diameter) combined with statistical modeling in a large variety of behavioral paradigms or during resting state.

The group hosts international students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral fellows with various backgrounds, from physics and engineering to cognitive neuroscience, from medicine to experimental psychology to philosophy. We take advantage of this large range of skills and expertise to try to combine interdisciplinary creativity with scientific rigor. We have an active policy to maintain gender balance and foster a supportive work environment.

Main techniques used:

MEG, EEG, iEEG, fMRI, behavior

Address :
Ecole normale supérieure - 29, rue d'Ulm 75005 PARIS

Team leader :
Catherine Tallon-Baudry
Name of co-team leader :

Administrative Contact Name :
Marine Magne

Website : Cliquez ici
Key words : #Conscience #Intéroception #Consciousness