Emotional processing following insula lesion

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Miltner; Professor Dr. Thomas Straube, since 10/2014
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology ; Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 262220369

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.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Heinz Wiendl
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Dr. Julia Kürten, until 10/2014