Modulation of Posterior Insula Selectively Enhances Nociceptive Sensory Gating in Humans.

ABSTRACT: Sensory gating - the brain's ability to filter out repetitive sensory input - is essential for preventing sensory overload. Impaired gating is frequently observed in nociplastic and other chronic overlapping pain conditions, yet the specific brain regions supporting this inhibitory process in humans remains unclear. Neuroimaging studies examining pain processing implicate the anterior insula (AI), posterior insula (PI), and anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC), but their deeper locations limit direct mechanistic testing using conventional non-invasive techniques. Here, we leveraged low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), a novel non-invasive neuromodulation method with high depth-penetration and millimeter resolution, to examine the contributions of the AI, PI, and aMCC to sensory gating

SUBMITTER: Isaac G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12870490 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature