Insular cortex

individuals of their immediate inclinations, motivations, and emotions, allowing them to simulate and anticipate outcomes (Leary and Buttermore, 2003). This theory is empirically supported by computer modeling studies, as neural nets with higher internal state predictability tend to outperform others in a 2D pole-balancing task (Kwon and Choe, 2008). The right insula, a candidate neural correlate of consciousness The right insular cortex has been implicated as a possible neural correlate of self-awareness, as well as other higher order processes of consciousness. Found deep within the lateral sulcus, the insula is evolutionarily one of the oldest structures in the brain, frequently being grouped with limbic structures (Damasio, 1994), although it is sometimes grouped in the temporal lobe. There is evidence that the great ape insula has undergone much further evolutionary development. The great ape insular cortex is morphologically distinct from other mammals (Allman et al., 2011; LeMay and Geschwind, 1975; Nimchinsky et al., 1999). Asymmetries between insular cortices and lateral sulci in orangutans and humans have been observed, with the right insula being larger (LeMay and Geschwind, 1975). Self-awareness in particular has been associated with the right hemisphere, as disruption of the right prefrontal region with transcranial magnetic stimulation disrupts self-, but not other-, perspective (Guise et al., 2007). The right insula has been implicated by multiple studies…

neurologists focused on what was believed to be the disproportionally larger prefrontal cortex (PFC) in humans compared to apes and other primates. More recently, research focuses on specific areas within the PFC that are size-dysmorphic in humans and apes. One study examined the male brains of 19 primate species (including humans) for relative size changes of cell tissue in the anterior and posterior axes of the frontal lobe in both hemispheres. The results of the study found that the primary…

intensity may increase to compensate for a reduction of perceived effort (Rollo and Williams 2011). An explanation for this, may be that carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CMR) stimulates the receptors of the mouth. Triggering neural pathways to improve subjective experience during repeated sprints (Chambers, Bridge and Jones, 2009). Likewise, it could be plausible that CMR activates chemoreceptors in the sublingual regions of the mouth. Thus, causing the stimulation of neurons that carry electrical…

these diminutive hominins arrived on the island of Flores is still a mystery. The dating shows H. floresiensis arrived over a million years ago by the tools they left behind. The hominins had a minimal cranial capacity, yet they were able to live and prosper until recent times. The Indonesian Island of Flores is a tropical Sunda Island with a history of unusual hominins. In 2003, a team of Australian and Indonesian scientists excavated a hominin in Liang Bua Cave on Flores, Indonesia. The female…

Kells is not only a book of gospels rich with information that could be studied to understand the theological aspects of north west Europe in the 8th century, but also as a wonderful and fascinating work of art. Also known as the illuminated manuscript, this piece of art gives us such great depth and insight into early Christianity and the creative expression of the monks in the said era. This essay will explain why this manuscript is of such great importance to the art historian. The Book of…

to your brain can result in devastating motor or cognitive lost. The extent of this lost typically depends on the amount of damage caused and the point of injury. After receiving a brain injury, the most severe form of motor disability someone can have is Locked-in syndrome (LIS) (Pistoia et al., 2016). “It is the consequence of ventral brainstem damage as a result of vascular or traumatic lesions disconnecting corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts bilaterally” (Pistoia et al., 2016, p. 32).…

These intracellular accumulation of abnormal filaments are prominent in CTE and are formed by microtubule-association protein, Tau (Gavett et al., 2011). This is important for CTE diagnosis because CTE shares many microscopic similarities with other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s diseases (AD), however, tau protein causes several disguising features in CTE (Gavett et al., 2011). First, the tau pathology is unique in CTE as it’s primarily found in the cortical laminae (II and…

Hidden Dangers A list of pros and cons can be assigned to everything, unfortunately, computers and cell-phones, though amazing, are not exempt from this. Cons can refer to many things, but the one biggest downfall that is worth looking into is the unforeseen impact that technology has on the human body. The three main parts of the body that are being affected negatively include the eyes, brain, and neck/back. The latest and greatest technology seems to be what everyone wants to get their hands…

couple of hours a day recovered faster (The Effect Music Has On The Brain). In particular the patients seemed to have better verbal memory and attention span (The Effect Music Has On The Brain). Due to the improved memory and attention span, it becomes obvious that music has fantastic healing characteristics. An amazing piece of research from 1998 says that music can get rid of seizures once and for all (The Effect Music Has On The Brain). In order to reduce the signals that cause a seizure ,…

prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for controlling personality expression, decision making , and social behavior. Zombies don’t express any of that. They have no personality and nor do they hesitate when trying to eat…