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insular cortex

·April 22, 2026·8 min read

Tourette’s and OCD Share a Common Neural Pathway

Scientists have discovered a brain "bridge" between the motor and insular cortex that controls the intensity of Tourette's tics and emotional symptoms.

This shows the new layers mapped on brain scans

Featured Neuroscience

·August 29, 2022·3 min read

Seven New Areas in the Insular Cortex Identified

Researchers at the Human Brain Project have identified and mapped 7 new areas of the insular cortex.

This shows perinatal brain scans with the ASD related areas highlighted

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 5, 2022·3 min read

Autism-Associated Brain Differences Can Be Observed in the Womb

A neuroimaging study of perinatal brains at 25 weeks of gestation reveals significant differences in brain structures in children who were later diagnosed with autism and those who were not. The findings add to the mounting evidence that ASD begins in early development.

This shows a brain scan with the neural network associated with tic development highlighted

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·January 21, 2022·6 min read

How Do Tics Develop?

A new study identifies a neural network that appears to be responsible for the development of tics and tic disorders. Researchers say deep brain stimulation applied to this network helps alleviate symptoms of tics.

This shows a sick woman sitting on a bed

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 8, 2021·4 min read

Exploring Psychosomatic Inflammation: How Perception and Memory Can Influence Illness

A new mouse study sheds light on how neurons in the brain can activate to trigger inflammation based upon encoded memories of prior infections. The findings shed light on how psychosomatic disorders can occur.

This shows a woman sitting alone in a corner

Featured Psychology

·September 25, 2021·5 min read

Lack of Trust Exacerbates Loneliness Spiral

Study reveals lonely people showed reduced activity in the anterior insular cortex, an area of the brain associated with trust formation. The anterior insular cortex was less prominently connected to other brain regions in those who expressed feelings of loneliness.

This shows the tactile stimulation device

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 15, 2020·5 min read

How expectations influence learning

Our brains make predictions based on experience during episodes of learning. Researchers found expectations during the predictions affect the activity of various brain networks.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 7, 2020·3 min read

Suicide attempt survivors have lower sensitivity to bodily signals

Suicide survivors have higher pain tolerance and are less sensitive to bodily signals associated with their breathing and heart. Researchers found those who attempted suicide were able to tolerate the breath-hold and cold-pressor interoceptive challenges significantly longer than those who had no history of suicidal behavior. The interoceptive numbing was linked to lower brain activity in the insular cortex.

This shows three different facial expression of the mice

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 2, 2020·4 min read

Mice make different facial expressions based on emotion

Mouse show different facial expression depending on their emotional state. Using machine learning, researchers were able to link five different emotional states to the facial expressions of mice.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 1, 2020·5 min read

How dopamine drives brain activity

Neuroimaging reveals how dopamine released from the striatum influences brain activity in the motor cortex and insular.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 27, 2020·7 min read

Prescription drug improves symptoms of autism by targeting brain’s chemical messengers

A drug commonly prescribed for edema improves the symptoms for young children on the autism spectrum with no significant side effects. The drug, bumetanide, decreases the ratio of GABA to glutamate in the brain.

This is a drawing of a brain on a wall and a ladder

Featured Neuroscience

·January 16, 2020·4 min read

Making sense of the self

Study reveals how the insular cortex helps assess and predict physiological states of the body. The findings shed light on the neural basis for interoception.