An atlas of primate insular cortex reveals a signal-processing strategy in von Economo neurons

The anterior insular cortex (AIC) is a critical hub integrating exteroceptive and interoceptive information into high-order cognition, yet its neural basis remains incompletely understood. Here, by combining whole-cell-based single-cell transcriptomics with Patch-seq recordings, we resolved and characterized 78 detailed cell types in the macaque AIC, revealing the diversity and specialization of this region in cell type, connectivity profile, signal-processing strategy and metabolic characteristics. Among these, we identified two transcriptomically and morphoelectrically defined von Economo neuron (VEN) subtypes, DSG2-expressing VEN-L and POC5-expressing VEN-S, transcriptomically relating to extratelencephalic and corticothalamic projection neurons, respectively. We also uncovered a previously underappreciated signal-processing strategy by VENs, whereby the geometry of the dendrite-originating axon reshapes action potential dynamics and enhances somatic responsiveness to deep-layer synaptic inputs. Our multimodal atlas establishes a molecular and functional framework for investigating the circuit principles underlying cognitive processes in the primate AIC.