Abstract
Various studies demonstrate a special role of the right compared to the left anterior insula in mediating our self. However, the neural features of the right insula that allow for its special role remain unclear. Presupposing a spatiotemporal model of self—“Basis model of self-specificity” (BMSS)—we here address the following question: what spatial-topographic and temporal-dynamic features render neural activity in the right insula to be more suitable in mediating self-specificity than the left insula? First, applying fMRI, we demonstrate that the right insula (i) exhibits higher degrees of centrality in rest, and (ii) higher context-dependent functional connectivity in a self-specific task among regions of distinct layers of self (intero-, extero-proprioceptive, and mental). Second, using EEG in rest and task, we show that the right insula shows longer autocorrelation window (ACW) in its neural activity than both left insula and other regions of the different layers of self. Together, we demonstrate special topographic, i.e., high functional connectivity, and dynamic, i.e., long ACW, neural features of the right insula compared to both left insula and other regions of the distinct layers of self. This suits neural activity in the right insula ideally for high functional integration and temporal continuity as key features of the self including its intero-, extero-proprioceptive, and mental layers.
Highlights
The self is a key feature of our mental life that allows integrating various inputs including intero, extero, and proprioceptive [1,2]
We demonstrate special topographic, i.e., high functional connectivity, and dynamic, i.e., long autocorrelation window (ACW), neural features of the right insula compared to both left insula and other regions of the distinct layers of self
The goal of our study is to address the following question: what renders neural activity in the right insula special compared to the left insula such that the former can provide the “glue” or connection between the different layers of self? For that purpose, we investigate spatial topography and temporal dynamic of right vs. left insula with respect to those regions mediating the different layers of self
Summary
The self is a key feature of our mental life that allows integrating various inputs including intero-, extero-, and proprioceptive [1,2]. A recent large-scale imaging/fMRI meta-analysis by Qin et al [17] confirmed the key role of the right insula for the self They observed especially the right insula, together with left insula, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, and parahippocampus, to be involved in mediating the interoceptive self, that is, the self that is recruited during tasks requiring interoceptive awareness like the awareness of one’s own heartbeat. The role of the insula was not limited to the interoceptive self though They observed the right insula, together with left insula, interior frontal gryus, premotor cortex, temporo-parietal junction (TPJ), and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), to be recruited in other studies of self like extero- proprio-ceptive self about the outer boundaries of the own body (see [18])
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