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How Interoception and the Insula Shape Mental Imagery and Aphantasia

DOI: 10.1007/s10548-025-01101-6
Silvanto, J., & Nagai, Y. (2025). How interoception and the insula shape mental imagery and aphantasia. Brain Topography, 38(2). doi:10.1007/s10548-025-01101-6

Abstract

This innovative research offers a fresh perspective on why some people experience aphantasia—the inability to create mental images in their mind's eye. Rather than focusing solely on the visual brain regions, scientists are discovering that mental imagery depends heavily on our body's internal awareness system, called interoception. When most people visualize something, their brains don't just activate visual areas—they also engage regions that monitor heartbeat, breathing, and other bodily sensations. This internal body awareness helps make mental images feel real and personally meaningful, like watching a movie where you're truly present rather than just observing from the outside. It's what gives mental imagery its emotional richness and sense of personal control. The research points to two key brain regions—the insula and anterior cingulate cortex—as central command centers that blend sensory information with body awareness. These areas act like conductors of an orchestra, coordinating between what we imagine and how our body responds to make the experience feel authentic and self-directed. For people with aphantasia, these brain regions may not communicate as effectively, which could explain why the condition often appears alongside challenges with remembering personal experiences, recognizing emotions in others, or conditions like autism and dyspraxia. This body-centered view of mental imagery suggests that aphantasia isn't simply about "broken" visual processing, but rather reflects differences in how the brain integrates sensory experiences with our internal bodily awareness—opening new avenues for understanding and potentially supporting those with aphantasia.

Authors

  • Juha Silvanto5
  • Yoko Nagai1

Understanding Aphantasia: The Role of Body Awareness in Mental Imagery

Overview/Introduction

Aphantasia is a condition where individuals are unable to create mental images in their "mind's eye." This research explores a new perspective on why this happens, suggesting that the ability to visualize is not just about the visual parts of the brain but also involves our body's internal awareness system, known as interoception. Interoception is how we perceive internal bodily sensations like heartbeat and breathing, which play a crucial role in making mental images feel real and emotionally rich.

Methodology

The study examines how different brain regions, particularly the insula and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), work together to integrate sensory information with bodily awareness. These regions help blend what we imagine with how our body responds, making mental imagery feel authentic and self-directed. The researchers propose that in people with aphantasia, these brain areas might not communicate effectively, leading to difficulties in forming mental images.

Key Findings

  • Interoception's Role: Mental imagery involves more than just visual processing; it requires integrating sensory experiences with bodily sensations. This integration gives imagery its emotional depth and personal significance.
  • Brain Regions Involved: The insula and ACC are crucial for combining sensory and interoceptive signals, acting like conductors that coordinate the imagery experience.
  • Aphantasia and Related Challenges: People with aphantasia may struggle with autobiographical memory and emotion recognition, as these processes also rely on the integration of sensory and bodily information.

Implications

This research suggests that aphantasia is not merely a visual processing issue but a broader challenge in how the brain integrates different types of information. Understanding this could lead to new ways to support individuals with aphantasia, potentially improving their memory and emotional recognition skills. It also opens up possibilities for exploring how enhancing interoceptive awareness might aid in developing mental imagery abilities.

Limitations

While the study provides valuable insights, it does not involve direct experimentation or data analysis. The conclusions are based on existing literature and theoretical models, indicating a need for further research to validate these findings through empirical studies.
In summary, this research highlights the importance of body awareness in mental imagery and offers a new understanding of aphantasia. By focusing on how the brain integrates sensory and interoceptive information, it paves the way for potential interventions to help those affected by this condition.