How distinct functional insular subdivisions mediate interacting neurocognitive systems

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Psychology

Background:

• The insula is proposed as a central hub for interoceptive awareness.
• It modulates two key neurocognitive systems: self-control and reward-seeking.
• Specific roles for the posterior insula (PI), dorsal anterior insula (dAI), and ventral anterior insula (vAI) are theorized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the neurocognitive model of insula function.
• To investigate the relationship between insular connectivity and cognitive performance.
• To validate findings using multimodal neuroimaging data.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on 120 students.
• Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) fMRI to assess cognitive performance.
• Validation using an independent multimodal imaging dataset.

Main Results:

• The dAI connects to prefrontal self-control regions.
• The vAI connects to the amygdala-striatal reward circuit.
• The PI connects to visceral-sensorimotor systems.
• Connectivity between dAI and prefrontal cortex correlated positively with self-control.
• Connectivity between vAI and reward-related areas correlated negatively with reward-seeking.

Conclusions:

• The study supports a functional segregation within the insula.
• Findings highlight the insula's role in integrating interoception with self-control and reward processing.
• The results underscore the importance of subinsular functionality in neural cognitive systems.