Insulakortex

Insulakortex is a term used in some theoretical discussions in neuroscience to describe a proposed functional subdivision within the insular cortex that may serve as an integration hub for interoceptive signals and higher-order cognitive-emotional processes. It is not an anatomically defined region in standard brain atlases, and its usage varies across sources. As a result, insulakortex is best understood as a speculative construct rather than a universally recognized anatomical label.

Anatomically, the insulakortex is proposed to lie within the anterior portion of the insular cortex, near the frontal operculum. The concept emphasizes connectivity with regions involved in affect, motivation, and decision making, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal and prefrontal cortices, the amygdala, and thalamic nuclei. This suggested network position underpins the idea of an integrating node that combines bodily states with cognitive appraisal and subjective experience.

Functionally, insulakortex has been hypothesized to coordinate interoceptive information—signals about the internal state of the body—with higher-order processes like emotion regulation, risk assessment, attention, and social appraisal. Proponents suggest it could help translate visceral signals into context-appropriate behavior and subjective feeling states.

Evidence for insulakortex is indirect and largely speculative. Some functional imaging studies show co-activation of insular subregions with cognitive and affective networks during interoceptive and emotional tasks, while structural delimitation remains unsettled. The concept remains debated and is not universally adopted in neuroscience.

See also: Insular cortex; Interoception; Anterior cingulate cortex; Functional neuroanatomy.