Island of Reil (Insula) in the Human Brain

Description:

This book provides an in-depth review of the insula, with emphasis on anatomical, diagnostics, clinical, and surgical features. The insular cortex is involved in a variety of functions, but a comprehensive resource cataloging these functions is not available in the current literature. This book gathers highly informative chapters written and edited by leading international authorities in the field and covers the full range of the insular cortex, approaching it in four main sections: firstly, the embryology and anatomy of the human insula; secondly, the functions of the human insula, including its role in nociception, language, decision making, cognition, emotional awareness etc.; thirdly, clinical disorders related to the insula such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease; and fourthly, surgical techniques for insular gliomas and temporal lobe epilepsy. This comprehensive reference book will be an ideal source for neurosurgeons, neurologists and neuroanatomists seeking both basic and more advanced information regarding this unique structure in the human brain.

Table of Contents:

Part I. Anatomy of the Human Insula

1. The Insular Cortex: Histological and Embryological Evaluation

2. Gross Anatomy of the Human Insula

3. Surgical Anatomy of the Insula

4. Anatomy of the Insular Arteries

5. Anatomy of the Insular Veins

6. Middle Longitudinal Fasciculus in the Human Brain from Fiber Dissection

7. Structural Connectivity of the Insula

8. Insular Pharmacology

9. Neuroimaging Techniques for Investigation of the Insula

10. Measurements of the Insula Volume Using MRI

11. Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Social Anxiety and Interoception

Part II. Functions of the Human Insula

12. Participation of the Insula in Language

13. Lateralization of the Insular Cortex

14. Gustatory Areas Within the Insular Cortex

15. Role of the Insula in Human Cognition and Motivation

16. Role of the Insula in Visual and Auditory Perception

17. The Anterior Insula and Its Relationship to Autism

18. Role of the Insular Cortex in Emotional Awareness

19. Alterations of Reil’s Insula in Alzheimer’s Disease

20. Contributions of the Insula to Speech Production

21. Processing Internal and External Stimuli in the Insula: A Very Rough Simplification

22. The Role of the Insula in the Non-motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Part III. Clinical Disorders Related with Insula

23. Insular Cortex Epilepsy

24. Insular Ischemic Stroke

25. Attention, Salience, and Self-Awareness: The Role of Insula in Meditation

26. Neuropsychological Deficits Due to Insular Damage

27. The Role of the Insula in Schizophrenia

Part IV. Surgery of the Insular Cortex

28. Surgery of Insular Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas

29. Surgical Strategy for Insular Cavernomas

30. Role of the Insula in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery Failure

31. Neuropsychology in Insular Lesions Prior-During and After Brain Surgery

Back Matter