By developing a standardized framework for understanding how internal signals are processed, the project could lead to new treatments for conditions such as autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, neurodegeneration, and hypertension.

Led by Nobel laureate Ardem Patapoutian and collaborators, the research involves mapping sensory neuron pathways from the spinal cord to various organs like the heart, lungs, stomach, and kidneys using whole-body imaging and genetic profiling.

Scientists have launched a $14.2 million NIH-supported project to create the first comprehensive map, or atlas, of the body's internal sensory network involved in interoception, which monitors vital functions like circulation, digestion, and immune activity.

This initiative aims to address a significant gap in neuroscience by mapping the complex internal signals that are often processed outside conscious awareness, earning interoception the nickname of the body's 'hidden sixth sense'.

The team aims to create an anatomical and molecular atlas by identifying different cell types of sensory neurons and understanding how they connect internal organs to the nervous system.

The project will produce a standardized framework for understanding the body's internal sensory wiring, advancing knowledge of how the brain maintains bodily balance.

Interoception operates through neural pathways that regulate functions such as circulation, digestion, and immune responses, often outside conscious awareness.

Building this atlas could revolutionize our understanding of body-brain communication and potentially lead to innovative treatments for various health disorders.

Interoception is considered the body's 'hidden sixth sense' because it involves internal signals that are often processed outside conscious awareness, unlike traditional senses like sight or hearing.

Decoding these neural pathways could help understand how the brain maintains bodily balance and address disorders linked to interoceptive dysregulation, including autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, neurodegeneration, and high blood pressure.

Interoception is a complex internal sense that plays a crucial role in monitoring and regulating vital bodily functions, yet it has remained largely understudied due to its complexity.