The insular cortex is linked to various functions such as bodily awareness, risky decision-making, and taste processing, with dysfunction leading to challenges in pain evaluation and addiction. Studies indicate that blocking certain enzymes can erase memories related to taste and highlight gender differences in emotional responses to anger. Additionally, damage to the insular cortex significantly affects addiction, particularly in cigarette smokers, suggesting it as a potential target for anti-addiction therapies.

1. The Insular CortexBy Hagar & Mikaela

2. LocationCerebral HemisphereConnected with the primary/secondar somatosensory areas amygdale , prefrontal cortec, etc.

3. FunctionsBodily AwarenessRisky Decision MakingTaste-Processing Gustatory Process

4. Disfuntional Insular Cortex Hard time evaluating pain, and processing it.Plays a positive role in addiction.

5. Study 1: Sacktor, Weizmann Institute of Science (Rehovot, Israel)Aim: To determine result of blocking an enzyme that strengthens the neuron connections, creating long-term memory.Result: Memories erased by injecting the inhibitor into the insular cortex (taste-processing gustatory process).

6. Study 2: Dr. Urbanik Aim: To examine whether men and women respond differently to anger.Results: Men’s insular cortex is more activated than women’s, which creates a physical reaction of ‘fight or flight’ rather than an emotional.

7. Study 3: Nasir Naqvi, University of IowaAim: To see whether head injury that leads to dysfunction of the Insular Cortex will have an effect on drug addiction. Results: Cigarette smokers for example who suffer from damage of the Insular Cortex due to a stroke had their addiction to cigarettes almost eliminated. Up to 136 more likely to stop smoking then smokers who suffer damage to another part of the brain.Make this area of the brain a promising target for anti-addiction medications.

8. Works CitedSimon, Moss Dr. “Insular Cortex.” Psychlopedia. Web. 3 Nov 2009. <http://www.psych-it.com.au/Psychlopedia/article.asp?id=341>Swaminathan, Nikhil. “’Continuous Motor’ Underlies Long-Term Memory Storage.” Scientific American. 17 Aug 2007. Web. 2010. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=continuous-motor-underlies-memory>Podsiadlo, Lilianna. “Men and Women May Respond Differently to Danger.” ScienceDaily. 30 Nov 2009. Web. 2009. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091129125131.htm>Craig, A. D. “Mapping Pain in the Brain.” The Welcome Trust. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. <http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/‌en/‌pain/‌microsite/‌science2.html>“Damage to the Insula Disrupts Addiction to Cigarette Smoking .” Science Mag. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. <http://www.sciencemag.org/‌cgi/‌content/‌abstract/‌315/‌5811/‌531>“Insular cortex.” Absolute Astronomy. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. <http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/‌topics/‌Insular_cortex>Nagai, K, K Kishi, and S Kato. “Insular cortex and neuropsychiatric disorders.” PubMed U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/‌pubmed/‌17416488>