Investigating four pre-existing, publically available psychological and neurological data sets, researchers identify a network of brain areas that underlie psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
The ability to empathize, or share the pain of others is mapped onto neurons in the insula, a new study reports.
The same brain system that helps us to avoid danger is also activated during selfless, helping behaviors, allowing us to help others in danger.
Researchers at the Human Brain Project have identified and mapped 7 new areas of the insular cortex.
Takotsubo syndrome, a sudden form of acute heart failure often brought on by emotional or physical stress, is associated with changes in brain regions associated with emotion and emotional processing.
A new study found altered cortical and subcortical networks in those with schizophrenia and their unaffected first-degree relatives. Findings suggest brain regions associated with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia are partly separated from brain regions implicating neural abnormalities.
Study reveals how the brain relies on feedback from the body to regulate fear response. When a mouse's body freezes in response to fear, its heart rate slows, and this leads to attenuated insular cortex activity.
Virtual reality is helping researchers uncover some of the secrets of anxiety. Using VR, study participants were able to distinguish between safe and dangerous environments in a game. However, brain scans of those with anxiety showed increased activity in the insula and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex while in a safe zone, indicating their brains were associating the safe environment with threat or danger.
Researchers uncover the role activity in the anterior insula plays in how political ideology influences race perception.
Cortical representations for the sounds and meanings of new words learned form within an hour or two following exposure.
Neuroimaging pinpoints areas of the brain that regulate efforts to deal with fatigue. The study reveals the neural mechanisms that contribute to feelings of fatigue.
Coercion to perform detrimental actions against others reduces empathy and guilt, a new study reports. The findings may explain why people are able to commit immoral acts that go against their ethical stance when coerced.
