[Anjae]

When I did all of my research a few years ago, all of the below (empathy etc) was considered to be regulated by the frontal and prefrontal cortex.  (Maybe these areas are now being broken down into smaller parts?  I would imagine they would be over time).

The insular cortex is different from the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex covers the front part of the frontal lobe. The insular cortex is a separated, hidden/isolated one, hence the name, insular. Of course it is not really separated (nothing in the brain is, something always connects to something), that is found on the fold between several other lobes.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22230626 - The insular cortex: a review.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insular_cortex - Insular cortex #The insulae are believed to be involved in consciousness and play a role in diverse functions usually linked to emotion or the regulation of the body's homeostasis. These functions include perception, motor control, self-awareness, cognitive functioning, and interpersonal experience. In relation to these, it is involved in psychopathology."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefrontal_cortex - Prefrontal cortex "Many authors have indicated an integral link between a person's personality and the functions of the prefrontal cortex.[1] This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and moderating social behaviour.[2] The basic activity of this brain region is considered to be orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals.[3]"

Depression can affect both the insular and the prefrontal cortex (among other parts of the brain). It is hardly ever just one thing that is affected/altered.

[kikki]

Didn't word that well.  Scans show that depression shows firstly in the forward most areas of the brain.
Any areas in the front of the brain have a strong possibility of being affected. Therefore affecting empathy, personality etc

[Anjae]

Scans show that depression shows firstly in the forward most areas of the brain.
Any areas in the front of the brain have a strong possibility of being affected. Therefore affecting empathy, personality etc

Indeed. I was writing more to Velika, to say that it is not just one part of the brain that is affected, since she asked about the insular cortex and depression.

[kikki]

Ah 

[Anjae]

We have to admit that the brain is very complex.  And, like you have said, consider a bt like outer space - the last frontier.

Now we know more, but there is still so much to learn. Scientists have just found that they cure diabetes type 2 on mice with a shot to the brain. They think the solution is the brain, not blood of stomach. http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/05/scientists-find-cure-for-type-2-diabetes-in-rodents-dont-know-how-it-works/

By the way, Ars Technica is a good site for all thinks geeky. From neuroscience to all sorts of technology, not forgetting astronomy and gaming.  A geek true paradise. 

[Velika]

Amazing about diabetes II.

Yes hopefully one day this forum will appear as old fashioned as a discussion of humors, and would be LBS can stop their wayward MLCers with a syringe to the head.

[Anjae]

Yes hopefully one day this forum will appear as old fashioned as a discussion of humors, and would be LBS can stop their wayward MLCers with a syringe to the head.

Now that would be something. 

[scooter]

I volunteer my H for the first shot 

[Anjae]

I think we all want to volunteers our husbands for the first shot.

[MyBrainIsBroken]

Not me. I want to volunteer my wife!