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Cardiovascular effects of human insular cortex stimulation.
S M Oppenheimer1, A Gelb, J P Girvin
1Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Neurology
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Human insular cortex stimulation reveals lateralized cardiovascular control. Left insula stimulation caused slowing heart rate, while right insula stimulation increased blood pressure, suggesting right-sided sympathetic dominance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
Background:
- Previous studies in rats suggested left insular cortex dominance for cardiac sympathetic control.
- The lateralization of cardiovascular representation in the human insular cortex remained unclear.
Observation:
- Intraoperative insular cortex stimulation was performed in five epilepsy patients before temporal lobectomy.
- Stimulation of the left insular cortex predominantly elicited bradycardia and depressor responses.
- Stimulation of the right insular cortex predominantly elicited tachycardia and pressor effects.
Findings:
- This study provides the first evidence of human insular cortex stimulation eliciting cardiovascular changes.
- Demonstrated lateralization of autonomic cardiovascular responses within the human insular cortex.
- Human insular cortex exhibits right-sided dominance for sympathetic cardiovascular effects, contrasting with findings in rats.
Implications:
- Findings may aid in predicting autonomic responses following stroke in humans.
- Could contribute to understanding the mechanisms behind sudden unexpected epileptic death.
- Highlights the importance of lateralization in cortical autonomic control and its clinical relevance.