Effect of sport activities on brain network of insular cortex

最近的研究表明，岛叶皮层是一个关键的大脑区域，统一周边信息和情绪感受。本研究旨在揭示运动经验对岛叶皮层脑网络的影响。我们采用延迟反馈范式作为实验任务，以唤起岛叶皮层的活动和测量大脑激活。结果表明，在大鼠右侧岛叶皮层的前部，岛叶皮层有明显的激活。右前岛叶皮层的活动与情绪得分相关，表明该区域与情绪加工有关。此外，网络分析确定了与右前岛叶皮层同步的大脑区域。分析表明，运动经验对岛叶皮质有显著影响。目前的研究结果表明，体育活动的经验可以影响大脑功能相关的情绪处理。

Recent studies identified that the insular cortex is a key brain region to unify peripheral information and emotional feelings. The present study aimed to reveal the effect of athletic experience on the brain network of insular cortex. We employed a delayed-feedback paradigm as an experimental task to evoke activity in the insular cortex and measured brain activations. As results, we could confirm the activation of the insular cortex, especially in the anterior part of the right insular cortex. The activity in the right anterior insular cortex showed correlation with emotional scores meaning that the region is related emotional processing. Furthermore, network analyses identified the brain regions that synchronized with the right anterior insular cortex. The analyses showed a significant effect of athletic experience on the insular cortex. The present results suggest that experiences of athletic activity could affect brain functions related to emotional processing.