Human cortical gustatory areas: a review of functional neuroimaging data

Neuroreport. 1999 Jan 18;10(1):7-14. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199901180-00002.

Abstract

In an effort to define human cortical gustatory areas we reviewed functional neuroimaging data for which coordinates standardized in Talairach proportional space were available. We observed a wide distribution of peaks within the insula and parietal and frontal opercula, suggesting multiple gustatory regions within this cortical area. Multiple peaks also emerged in the orbitofrontal cortex. However, only two peaks, both in the right hemisphere, were observed in the caudolateral orbitofrontal cortex, the region likely homologous to the secondary taste area described in monkeys. Overall significantly more peaks originated from the right hemisphere suggesting asymmetrical cortical representation of taste favoring the right hemisphere.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Mapping*
  • Cerebral Cortex / anatomy & histology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Lobe / anatomy & histology
  • Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Parietal Lobe / anatomy & histology
  • Parietal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Taste / physiology*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed*