Bayesian Brain & Breathlessness: Anxiety's Hidden Link
Bayesian brain practical applications - breathlessness... To better understand the world, the brain ingeniously measures probabilities of outcomes by comparing current experiences with past experiences (priors) while account for likely errors in memory and perception to predict likelihoods of future events. In the Bayesian brain model, psychological factos act as moderators in the prediction process which may alter priors and lead to variable interpretations of equivalent afferent input. An example of this phenomena is exhibited in the production of breathlessness along with various chronic illness. Although stimulation from the lungs or airways may be absent, breathlessness presents.
In a study that analyzed variations of anxiety sensitivity with subjective perceptions of equivalent breathlessness challenges to better understand symptoms mismatch in clinical populations, the Bayesian Brain mechanism was affected. A positive correlation with anxiety sensitivity and variability of intensity of mild breathlessness was established. Anxiety sensitivity also negatively correlated during anticipation with precuneus activity in the brain. Additionally, positive correlations were seen during mild breathlessness with anterior insula brain activity and negative correlations during strong breathlessness with parental sensorimotor brain areas. This study suggests that Bayesian Brain predictions are less robust with anxiety sensitivity and results in greater variability of breathlessness perception and increased symptom misinterpretation. The manner in which exceptions and neural sensory input is reconciled to produce conscious perception is called the 'inferential leap'. Using this Bayesian Brain model, we can better understand and address maladaptive interpretations of somatic symptoms, such as breathlessness, in mental health disorders.
Sources: Faull, o.k., et al. (2017) Breathlessness and the body: Neuroimaging clues for the inferential leap. Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior
