Delineating In Vivo T1-Weighted Intensity Profiles Within the Human Insula Cortex Using 7-Tesla MRI

The integral role of the insula cortex in sensory and cognitive function has been well documented in humans, and fine anatomical details characterizing the insula have been extensively investigated ex vivo in both human and non-human primates. However, in vivo studies of insula anatomy in humans (in general) and within-insula parcellation (in particular) have been limited. The current study leverages 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging to delineate cortical depth intensity profiles within the human cortex. Our analysis revealed two separate clusters of relatively high and low signal intensity across the insula cortex located in three distinct compartments within the posterior, anterior-inferior, and middle insula. The posterior and anterior-inferior compartments are characterized by elevated T1-weighted signal intensities, contrasting with lower intensity observed in the middle insular compartment, compatible with ex vivo studies. Importantly, the detection of the high T1-weighted anterior cluster is determined by the choice of brain atlas employed to define the insular region of interest. We obtain reliable in vivo within-insula parcellation at the individual and group levels, across two separate cohorts acquired in two separate sites (n1 = 21, Glasgow, UK; n2 = 101, Amsterdam, NL). Results are further confirmed by deriving cortical depth dependent profiles from T1Map and R1Map images. These results reflect new insights into the insula anatomical structure, in vivo, while highlighting the use of 7 Tesla in neuroimaging with potential implications for individualized medicine approaches.