Study maps distinct functional zones within the human insula using brain stimulation
Researchers used intracranial electrode stimulation across multiple participants to test how different insula subregions respond to stimulation, comparing observed response rates to chance and to each other. They found that a posterior region (Region I) showed significantly elevated pain and temperature responses compared to chance and to three other regions, while a second posterior region (Region II) showed enriched somatosensory responses relative to chance and to two other regions.