The neuropsychological impact of insular cortex lesions

Influential models based on an increasing body of neuroimaging evidence propose that insular cortex integrates cognitive, affective, sensory and autonomic information to create a consciously perceived, ‘feeling state.’ To appraise these models and evaluate interpretations of neuroimaging findings, the authors review evidence pertaining to the psychological and behavioural consequences of insula lesions. The authors focus on the emotional, perceptual, sensorimotor symptoms and disorders of body awareness associated with insula damage. This comprehensive review is intended to inform existing neuropsychological models of insula function in order to guide future research.