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insular cortex

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·December 31, 2019·7 min read

Justified and unjustified movie violence evokes different brain responses

Scenes of justified and unjustified violence in movies activate different areas of the adolescent brain. Unjustified violence activates the lateral orbital frontal cortex, while scenes where violence appears justified, activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

This is a drawing of a mouse on a tiny island

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 28, 2019·4 min read

An island for negative emotions

In mice, the insular cortex processes negative emotions and bodily discomfort. The findings shed light on emotional processing in animals and humans.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·May 16, 2019·2 min read

The insular cortex processes, and drives learning from pain

Using optogenetics to 'switch off' the insular cortex in mice experiencing a painful event resulted in a less fearful reaction to pain. The ability of the mice to learn avoidance from the pain event was also reduced.

This shows a person licking an ice cream

Featured Neuroscience

·April 24, 2019·4 min read

Smelling with your tongue: Functional olfactory receptors in human taste center identified

Functional olfactory receptors have been identified in human taste cells. The findings suggest olfactory receptors play a role in the taste system by interacting with taste receptors on the tongue. The brain, researchers say, combines input from taste, smell and other senses to create a multi-modal sensation of flavor.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 28, 2018·4 min read

Differences Between Combined and Isolated Cannabis and Nicotine Use on Brain Networks

Researchers say those who use both cannabis and nicotine have greater brain connectivity that those who take one or the other. The networks of those who used both substances closely resembled those who people who took neither drug.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 18, 2018·4 min read

How the Brain Responds to Cold Touch

A new study could help advance research into pain and hypersensitivity to cold stimuli. Researchers have mapped feelings of cold touch sensation in the insula of mice.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 1, 2018·4 min read

Insular Cortex Mediates Approach and Avoidance Responses to Others in Distress

Summary: Social affective behaviors are linked to changes in insular cortex excitability caused by oxytocin, researchers report. Source: Boston College....