The Dorsal Posterior Insula Subserves a Fundamental Role in Human Pain

Overview

Journal Nat Neurosci

Date 2015 Mar 10

PMID 25751532

Citations 178

Authors

Andrew R Segerdahl

Melvin Mezue

Thomas W Okell

John T Farrar

Irene Tracey

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Several brain regions have been implicated in human painful experiences, but none have been proven to be specific to pain. We exploited arterial spin-labeling quantitative perfusion imaging and a newly developed procedure to identify a specific role for the dorsal posterior insula (dpIns) in pain. Tract tracing studies in animals identify a similar region as fundamental to nociception, which suggests the dpIns is its human homolog and, as such, a potential therapeutic target.

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