BPCCIR: Building the Future of Interoceptive Neuroscience - SUMMARY Interoception, the process by which the nervous system senses, interprets, and integrates internal bodily signals such as the heartbeat, breathing, and digestion, is foundational for regulation of homeostasis and maintenance of physical and mental health. Disruptions in interoception contribute to anxiety and mood disorders, stress- associated conditions, neurological disease, chronic pain, autonomic and inflammatory disorders, and multiple medical conditions. Although recent advances have mapped cells and circuits in both the brain and peripheral organs, interoception research remains fragmented across scientific specialties, with inconsistent terminology, limited data sharing, and few opportunities for coordinated training and knowledge exchange. These gaps slow scientific progress and delay the translation of discoveries into improved treatments. The Blueprint Coordination Center for Interoception Research (BPCCIR) will address these challenges by serving as a national hub for the interoception research community. The Center’s goals are to: (1) establish governance and advisory structures that foster collaboration; (2) develop a digital communication platform to connect researchers and link existing data resources; (3) organize annual scientific meetings and specialized workshops to accelerate knowledge exchange; (4) develop consensus terminology, shared data standards, and Common Data Elements for interoception research; and (5) support training, career development, and pathways toward a sustainable, interdisciplinary scientific community. These aims will be accomplished through coordinated working groups, curated online tools, workshops, white papers that define terminology and research standards, and annual meetings with broad disciplinary and career-stage representation. The Center will track progress using clear, measurable milestones and will develop a long-term sustainability plan for supporting scientific interest in interoception. By integrating data, unifying research practices, and strengthening the scientific workforce, this project will accelerate discoveries linking brain–body circuits to health and disease, ultimately enabling new interoception-based strategies for preventing and treating conditions that impact millions of people.
