What is the role of the insular cortex?

The insular cortex is a true anatomical integration hub with heavy connectivity to an extensive network of cortical and subcortical brain regions serving sensory, emotional, motivational and cognitive functions (Figure 2). It receives heavy sensory inputs from all modalities.

What does damage to the insular cortex do?

Damage to the insula can lead to apathy, loss of libido and an inability to tell fresh food from rotten. The bottom line, according to Dr. Paulus and others, is that mind and body are integrated in the insula. It provides unprecedented insight into the anatomy of human emotions.

Is the insular cortex involved in pain?

The anterior insular cortex (AI) and the posterior insular cortex (PI) are involved in different pain circuits that mediate different aspects of pain.

What’s insular cortex?

The insular cortex (also insula and insular lobe) is a portion of the cerebral cortex folded deep within the lateral sulcus (the fissure separating the temporal lobe from the parietal and frontal lobes) within each hemisphere of the mammalian brain.

Where is insular cortex?

lateral sulcus
The insular cortex is located deep within the lateral sulcus of the brain. Also known as the “Island of Reil” based on its initial discovery by Johann Chrstian Reil in 1809, the insula is a region of cortex not visible from the surface view.

What makes up the insular cortex?

The cortical area overlying the insula toward the lateral surface of the brain is the operculum (meaning lid). The opercula are formed from parts of the enclosing frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes.

What is insular cortex?

The insular cortex is a cytoarchitectonically complex and richly connected structure that functions as a cortical hub involved in interoception, multimodal sensory processing, autonomic control, perceptual self-awareness, and emotional guidance of social behavior.

Where is the insular cortex?

What activates the insular cortex?

A full bladder also activates the insular cortex. One brain imaging study suggests that the unpleasantness of subjectively perceived dyspnea is processed in the right human anterior insula and amygdala.

Where is the insular cortex located in the brain?

Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy. [edit on Wikidata] In each hemisphere of the mammalian brain the insular cortex (also insula and insular lobe) is a portion of the cerebral cortex folded deep within the lateral sulcus (the fissure separating the temporal lobe from the parietal and frontal lobes).

Is the insular cortex a sensory integration hub?

The insular cortex is a true anatomical integration hub with heavy connectivity to an extensive network of cortical and subcortical brain regions serving sensory, emotional, motivational and cognitive functions ( Figure 2 ). It receives heavy sensory inputs from all modalities.

Who was the first person to name the insular cortex?

The insular cortex, or ‘insula’ for short, is part of the cerebral cortex. J.C. Reil, a German neurologist, first named this brain structure in the early 19th century.

Is the insular cortex thicker when you meditate?

A study using magnetic resonance imaging found that the right anterior insula is significantly thicker in people that meditate. Other research into brain activity and meditation has shown an increase in grey matter in areas of the brain including the insular cortex.