Tag

Insular Cortex

All articles tagged with #insular cortex

science22 days ago•5 min saved

New Brain Circuit May Explain Tourette's and OCD Overlap

Kobe University researchers mapped a thalamus-to-insular pathway linking the basal ganglia to the insular cortex in mice, a circuit that could explain why Tourette's tics overlap with OCD and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Blocking this thalamus-to-insular connection reduced tic-like movements, suggesting a potential target for less invasive treatments such as ultrasound neuromodulation, though results in humans are not yet established and deep brain stimulation remains a current option.

via ScienceAlert|

#basal-ganglia #insular-cortex #ocd

science29 days ago•7 min saved

Brain Circuit May Turn Off Chronic Pain, Study Suggests

Researchers identified a tiny brain region called the caudal granular insular cortex (CGIC) that acts as a switch determining whether pain fades or becomes chronic. In animal experiments, silencing this pathway prevented chronic pain from forming and could even erase it after onset by interrupting signals to the somatosensory cortex and spinal cord. The findings suggest targeted brain-cell interventions or brain-machine interfaces as potential, opioid-sparing treatments, though applicability to humans remains to be studied.

via ScienceDaily|

#brain-machine-interfaces #caudal-granular-insular-cortex #chronic-pain

neuroscience2 years ago•4 min saved

"Virtual Reality: A Game-Changer for Autism Research"

A new study highlights the potential of mouse models in autism research, offering insights into molecular and physiological mechanisms. Researchers emphasize the role of the insular cortex and introduce the innovative "mouse metaverse" - a VR tool to explore brain dynamics during social behavior. With these approaches, the researchers aim to understand the molecular underpinnings of the human mind through autism's lens.

via Neuroscience News|

#autism #brain-dynamics #insular-cortex

neuroscience2 years ago•3 min saved

The Neuroscience of Self-Awareness through Interoception.

Interoception, our ability to perceive internal bodily states, is a fundamental part of our conscious experiences and has been a focal point in neuroscience research in recent years. The insular cortex plays a key role in interoceptive processing, which influences our emotions, decision-making, and sense of self. Impaired interoception is associated with several mental health disorders, including depression and eating disorders. Enhancing interoceptive awareness, such as through mindfulness meditation, may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for these conditions.

via Neuroscience News|

#insular-cortex #interoception #mental-health