One part of the ventral striatum called the nucleus accumbens is thought to be involved in the experience pleasure.[24] Individuals with addictions experience increased activity in this area when they encounter the object of their addiction. Insula – The insular cortex is thought to play a critical role in the bodily experience of emotion, as it is connected to other brain structures that regulate the body’s autonomic functions (heart rate, breathing, digestion, etc.). The insula is implicated in empathy and awareness of emotion.[25] Cerebellum – Recently, there has been a considerable amount of work that describes the role of the cerebellum in emotion as well as cognition, and a "Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome" has been described.[26] Both neuroimaging studies as well as studies following pathological lesions in the cerebellum (such as a stroke) demonstrate that the cerebellum has a significant role in emotional regulation.