Emotional processing following insula lesion

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A growing number of brain imaging studies have demonstrated the association of insular cortex activation with aspects of emotional processing. These findings support theoretical models of the insula as a prominent component of emotional experience and perception of emotions, primarily by representing interoceptive body information. Up to now there are only a few single case reports of patients with insula lesions that are confirming the imaging data. The objective of the present series of investigations is to examine the role of the insular cortex in emotional processing within the current theoretical framework. By means of a large sample size, a multimodal assessment of emotional processing with respect to physiological indicators of emotional states, structural and functional imaging techniques we want to examine the specifity of deficits in emotional perception and experience. Moreover, the impact of size and location of the lesion (right vs. left hemisphere, anterior vs. posterior) and the role of functional reorganization will be elucidated. Thus, the cohort will consist of at least 30 stroke patients suffering from lesions of the right or left insular cortex, as well as patients with other lesion locations and 30 healthy controls.