Emotional recognition and processing in patients with insula lesions

影像学研究有助于认识到脑皮层是内感受性处理的一部分。这些研究结果支持的模型假设，整合的环境信号，以及生理变化引起的这些信号，代表了一个中央机制的识别和体验的情绪。令人惊讶的是，支持这一理论的群体研究普遍缺乏。在过去的几年里，我们确定了一组30多例单侧缺血性脑损伤患者，我们打算从我们的大学医院招募更多的此类患者，我们将调查该患者人群的上述研究问题。我们打算使用神经心理学测试，心理生理学和结构和功能磁共振成像。通过首次将损伤模型（特定缺陷）和功能研究（功能表征和生理学的变化）相结合，我们将能够全面描述大脑皮层在情绪处理中的作用。

Imaging studies contributed to the knowledge that the insula is part of interoceptive processing. These findings support models postulating that the integration of environmental signals, together with physiologic changes elicited by these signals, represent a central mechanism for the recognition and experience of emotions. Astonishingly, group studies supporting this theory are widely absent. Over the last years we identified a group of more than 30 patients with ischemic unilateral lesions of the insula, we intend to recruit more of these patients from our university hospital, and we will investigate the mentioned research questions on this patient population. We intend to use neuropsychological testing, psychophysiology and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging. By combining the lesion model (specific deficits) and functional investigation (changes in functional representation and physiology) for the first time, we will be able to comprehensively describe the role of the insula in emotional processing.