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Thalamo-insular cortex connections in the rat and human
Mazhar Özkan1, Damlasu Altınöz2, Elif Erkan2
1Department of Anatomy, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
Neuroscience Letters
|January 2, 2025
Summary
This study reveals distinct thalamic connections to the insular cortex (ICx) in rats and humans. Understanding these thalamic-ICx pathways may inform treatments for conditions like anxiety and depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- The insular cortex (ICx) is crucial for diverse cognitive and emotional functions.
- The thalamus modulates cortical activity, influencing ICx functions.
- Thalamic connections to the ICx are not fully elucidated across species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare thalamic connections with the insular cortex (ICx) in rats and humans.
- To utilize both experimental tracing and in-vivo neuroimaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Fluoro-gold (FG) tracing in Wistar albino rats.
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) tractography using Human Connectome Project data.
- Detailed mapping of anterior and posterior ICx connections to specific thalamic nuclei.
Main Results:
- Rat ICx-thalamus connections were strictly ipsilateral.
- Human ICx-thalamus connections were bilateral.
- Specific thalamic nuclei were identified for anterior and posterior ICx in rats, with human DTI data corroborating these findings.
Conclusions:
- Thalamic nuclei contribute to higher-order ICx functions.
- Differences in ipsilateral (rat) vs. bilateral (human) connections offer insights into ICx evolution and function.
- Thalamic stimulation presents a potential therapeutic target for ICx-related disorders like anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
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