Question

Patients with Huntington’s disease have difficulties recognizing when others are feeling disgust. Damage to what brain region in Huntington’s disease likely results in this severe deficit, due to its important role in the recognition of the facial expression associated with disgust ?

• A. Hippocampus
• B. Insula
• C. Amygdala
• D. Basal ganglia

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Insula

• The insula is the brain structure most associated with disgust. The anterior insula receives signals from the senses of olfaction and gustation, while the posterior insula receives signals from audition and somatosensation.
• The hippocampus is necessary for fear conditioning.
• The amygdala is most associated with the recognition of the facial expressions associated with fear.
• Damage to the basal ganglia causes problems recognizing angry facial expressions.