Recent evidence indicates that insular cortex (IC) plays a critical role in drug addiction. IC has been known as a center where interoceptive (bodily) stimuli converge with affective valence. Therefore, the present proposal seeks to test the idea that the interoceptive-affective function of IC underlies the structure's regulation of addiction-related behaviors. Briefly, we will utilize morphine-induced self-administration in rats to examine whether IC is essential for an affect-inducing interoceptive stimulus to affect drug-seeking behaviors. Further, we will characterize the function of IC in terms of mediating interoceptive affects and addiction-related behaviors, as well as compare IC with the traditional addiction-related, affect-mediating structure-amygdala. Meanwhile, the proposal will investigate the neurochemical mechanism underlying the regulation of addiction-related behaviors by IC. The present investigation will not only advance our understanding of opiate addiction but also expand our comprehension of the neural mechanisms of affective processes.
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