Island bark of our brain How our fear arises

Research: Fear sits in the insular cortex of the brain
Many people suffer from anxiety disorders, which can put a heavy strain on their daily lives and cause physical discomfort. However, how fear and fear arise in the brain and influence our behavior is still unclear. Researchers suspect that the island cortex of the brain plays an important role in this.

How anxiety arises in the brain
According to experts, nearly ten percent of people worldwide suffer from depression and anxiety. Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders in Germany. They usually manifest in excessive anxiety, fear and a tendency to avoid potentially onerous situations, including social contact. How fear and fear arise in the brain and influence our behavior remains unclear. Researchers suspect that the island cortex of the brain plays an important role in this. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology want to investigate this now.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders. How fear arises and influences our behavior remains unclear. Researchers suspect that the island cortex of the brain plays an important role in this. (Image: pathdoc / fotolia.com)

Island bark seems to play a central role
Fear and fear should warn and protect against dangerous situations. However, if these emotions become too strong or too frequent, anxiety disorders can result.

To better understand natural and pathological anxiety, scientists need to understand the underlying processes in the brain.

Recent research has shown that different areas of the brain combine feelings and emotions with information from the environment, thereby influencing our behavior.

A central role in this network seems to play the so-called island bark. This buried part of the cerebral cortex is important for regulating emotions, but also involved in skills such as empathy and social behavior.

It is currently unclear how the neurones of the island cortex are connected to functional circuits and what their tasks are.

How emotions influence our behavior
Nadine Gogolla and her team at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology want to better understand the structure and function of the island's bark.

As the institute reports in a communication, the researchers want to use the model of the mouse to investigate how the neuronal networks of the island cortex are structured, how they process emotions such as fear and fear and how they influence behavior.

Studies have shown that the island bark of mice is similar to those of humans active in fear and anxiety behavior.

Using modern neurobiological methods, combined with different classical and newly devised behavioral experiments, the researchers want to decode the activity and tasks of the island cortex on a neuronal level.

In addition to a better understanding of the functions of the brain, the results should also be useful as a research base for human anxiety disorders. (Ad)