Sara E. Davis, R EEGT, CLTM
Of all the organs in the human body the brain is the most important, incredibly intricate, and multifaceted system. Within our brain is a variety of locations, of which play critical roles in our day to day functioning and bodily processes. Among these regions, a complex, and rarely discussed area lies. This is called the insula.
Discovered in 1809, by Johann Christian Reil, the “Island of Reil” (as it was initially termed) or insula, is tucked away within the brain’s lateral sulcus. Found to have a multitude of diverse functions, the insula’s functions range from sensory processing, emotional regulations all the way to hemostasis and social understandings. In this article we will discuss some of these functions, and shed light on why this area is often referred to as the “hidden gem” of the brain.
Deep within the lateral sulcus (separating the temporal lobe from the frontal lobe, and parietal lobes), lies the small area known as the insula or insular cortex. This area has separate functioning, between the frontal and posterior portions of the insula. The anterior, or frontal portion of the insular cortex has much more involvement in our complex cognitive process as well as emotional experiences. Whereas the posterior plays a more vital role in sensory processes as well as motor control. Let’s dive into these functions in a bit more detail.
Sensory processing:
A vital component of our insula is the ability to enhance social processes and integration. This area receives input from a variety of sensory systems which include taste, pain, temperature, and visceral sensations. This is essential for our bodies ability to regulate and maintain homeostasis.
Emotional processing:
The more frontal, or anterior portion is important for our emotional awareness and social understandings. This includes our experience and regulation of different emotions, empathy, and perception of various social signals. Studies have found that the insula is activated during certain tasks that require a level of understanding between those around us. Specifically interpreting emotional signals so that we may understand what needs to be communicated between one another.
Cognitive Functioning:
Another important role of our vital insular cortex, is our ability to have higher level cognition. Such as attention, and decision-making skills. The anterior insula, in particular, assists us in these areas, specifically our conscious awareness of emotions and control of behavior.
Homeostasis:
When you are defining the term homeostasis within our body, you are describing our body’s ability to maintain stability within its physiological processes. While taking that into consideration, one can begin to understand that having such awareness within our body’s systems is very important. Our insular cortex is a key player in interoception, or awareness of the body’s states of hunger, thirst, and heartbeat. Thus, it helps guide our behavior to meet our body’s needs to maintain homeostasis.
After describing the wide range of involvement of the insula, it’s no surprise that any type of dysfunction or impairment of these areas could be linked to other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Conditions such as: anxiety, addiction, and depression, to name a few. Furthermore, various degrees of damage to the insula could lead to deficits in areas of interoception, emotional regulations, and our understanding of social interactions.
In conclusion, while the small, and seemingly insignificant, insula of our brain may be hidden away in our brain's cortex, its impact on our daily lives is actually quite profound. From our bodies ability to regulate itself, all the way to our understanding of social interactions from our peers and those around us. It's quite clear that while small, its far reaching capabilities are mighty.
Sources:
Uddin, Lucina Q, et al. “Structure and Function of the Human Insula.” Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6032992/.
SpinalCord.com. “Insular Cortex.” SpinalCord.Com, www.spinalcord.com/insular-cortex. Accessed 26 June 2024.
Zhang, Ruohan, et al. “The Insular Cortex: An Interface between Sensation, Emotion and Cognition - Neuroscience Bulletin.” SpringerLink, Springer Nature Singapore, 9 May 2024, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12264-024-01211-4#:~:text=In%20vivo%2C%20calcium%20imaging%20studies,is%20mediating%20anxiety%20and%20fear.
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