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The role of insula-associated brain network in touch
1Integrative Rehabilitation Medicine Department, National Rehabilitation Hospital, National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, Beijing, China. pengxuwei@gmail.com
Biomed Research International
|August 13, 2013
Summary
The posterior insula acts as a central hub, connecting brain regions involved in processing tactile information. This network integrates sensory input, highlighting the insula's crucial role in touch perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The insula is recognized for its role in processing somatosensory information and interoception.
- Understanding the functional network of the insula is crucial for elucidating tactile perception mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional network model of the insula during tactile stimulation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- To identify specific insular regions and their connectivity patterns associated with touch processing.
Main Methods:
- Functional MRI (fMRI) was employed on 20 healthy subjects undergoing tactile stimulation.
- Data analysis utilized SPM8 and Conn toolbox for statistical parametric mapping and functional connectivity analysis.
- Region-of-interest (ROI)-based analyses, including seed-based connectivity and ROI-to-ROI comparisons, were performed.
Main Results:
- Consistent activation was observed in the contralateral posterior insula, specifically overlapping in area Ig2, across all stimulation conditions.
- Area Ig2 served as a seed region, revealing significant functional connectivity with the right insula, left superior parietal lobule, left superior temporal gyrus, and left inferior parietal cortex.
- Connectivity maps indicated widespread network engagement in the bilateral insula, inferior parietal cortex, and secondary somatosensory cortex.
- Graph theoretical analysis demonstrated higher correlations between left and right insula, and left inferior parietal cortex and right OP1, with global efficiency being more sensitive than local efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The posterior insula functions as a critical hub, integrating information from connected brain regions.
- The identified insular network plays a significant role in the processing and integration of tactile sensory information.
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