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Chapter 21 - Electrical Stimulation of the Human Insular Cortex

from Section 4 - Invasive Investigation of Insular Epilepsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 June 2022

By
Laure Mazzola ,
Jean Isnard  and
François Mauguière
Edited by
Dang Nguyen ,
Jean Isnard  and
Philippe Kahane
Dang Nguyen
Affiliation:
Université de Montréal
Jean Isnard
Affiliation:
Claude Bernard University Lyon
Philippe Kahane
Affiliation:
Grenoble-Alpes University Hospital
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Summary

We provide here a functional mapping of the insular cortex obtained by electrical stimulation carried out during stereo-electro-encephalography (SEEG). Somatosensory sensations and visceral responses were the most frequent responses to insular stimulation, followed in decreasing order of frequency by auditory sensations, vestibular illusions, speech impairment, gustato-olfactory sensations, and motor reactions. The posterior part of the insula seems more implicated in somatosensory functions, notably in pain perception, whereas the anterior part seems more implicated in visceral functions. Although some degree of spatial segregation could be evidenced, there was a clear spatial overlap between the representations of the different types of responses. Electrical stimulations permit to evidence a singularly multi-modal representation in the insula that may support its integrative functions of polymodal inputs. They also provide a better understanding of physiological insular functions and the semiology of insular seizures.

Keywords

functional evaluationelectrical stimulationsemiology of insular seizureinsular cortex
Type
Chapter
Information
Insular Epilepsies , pp. 246 - 256
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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