Neuroscience and Aphasia Research Unit, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Neuroimage. 2012 Feb 15;59(4):3514-21. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.11.016. Epub 2011 Nov 13.
The human insula is a functionally complex yet poorly understood region of the cortex, implicated in a wide range of cognitive, motor, emotion and somatosensory activity. To elucidate the functional role of the insula, the current study used in vivo probabilistic tractography to map the structural connectivity of seven anatomically-defined insular subregions. The connectivity patterns identified reveal two complementary insular networks connected via a dual route architecture, and provide key insights about the neural basis of the numerous functions ascribed to this area. Specifically, anterior-most insular regions were associated with a ventrally-based network involving orbital/inferior frontal and anterior/polar temporal regions, forming part of a key emotional salience and cognitive control network associated with the implementation of goal-directed behavior. The posterior and dorsal-middle insular regions were associated with a network focused on posterior and (to a lesser extent) anterior temporal regions via both dorsal and ventral pathways. This is consistent with the involvement of the insula in sound-to-speech transformations, with an implicated role in the temporal resolution, sequencing, and feedback processes crucial for auditory and motor processing, and the monitoring and adjustment of expressive performance.
人脑岛是大脑皮层中一个功能复杂但尚未被充分了解的区域，它与广泛的认知、运动、情感和躯体感觉活动有关。为了阐明脑岛的功能作用，本研究采用体内概率追踪技术来绘制七个解剖定义的脑岛亚区的结构连接图。所确定的连接模式揭示了两个互补的脑岛网络，它们通过双路径结构连接，为该区域所具有的众多功能提供了关键的神经基础见解。具体而言，最前脑岛区域与一个基于腹侧的网络相关，该网络涉及眶额/下额和前/极颞叶区域，形成与实施目标导向行为相关的关键情感突显和认知控制网络的一部分。后脑岛和中背侧脑岛区域与一个通过背侧和腹侧通路主要关注后颞叶区域（在一定程度上也关注前颞叶区域）的网络相关。这与脑岛参与声音到言语的转换一致，脑岛在听觉和运动处理中涉及时间分辨率、序列和反馈过程，以及表达性能的监测和调整。
