Simulating homeostatic, allostatic and goal-directed forms of interoceptive control using Active Inference

The adaptive regulation of bodily and interoceptive parameters, such as body temperature, thirst and hunger is a central problem for any biological organism. Here, we present a series of simulations using the framework of Active Inference to formally characterize interoceptive control and some of its dysfunctions. We start from the premise that the goal of interoceptive control is to minimize a discrepancy between expected and actual interoceptive sensations (i.e., a prediction error or free energy). Importantly, living organisms can achieve this goal by using various forms of interoceptive control: homeostatic, allostatic and goal-directed. We provide a computationally-guided analysis of these different forms of interoceptive control, by showing that they correspond to distinct generative models within Active Inference. Furthermore, we illustrate how these generative models may support empirical research, by predicting physiological and brain signals that may accompany both adaptive and maladaptive interoceptive control. Highlights We use Active Inference to provide formal models of interoceptive control We model homeostatic, allostatic and goal-directed forms of interoceptive control Our simulations illustrate both adaptive interoceptive control and its dysfunctions We discuss how the models can aid empirical research on interoception