Open AccessInsula‐based networks in professional musicians: Evidence for increased functional connectivity during resting state fMRI
Author(s) -
Zamorano Anna M.,
Cifre Ignacio,
Montoya Pedro,
Riquelme Inmaculada,
Kleber Boris
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.23682
Subject(s) - insula , temporoparietal junction , psychology , neuroscience , orbitofrontal cortex , coactivation , resting state fmri , anterior cingulate cortex , functional magnetic resonance imaging , insular cortex , cognition , context (archaeology) , salience (neuroscience) , functional connectivity , cognitive psychology , prefrontal cortex , biology , electromyography , paleontology
Abstract Despite considerable research on experience‐dependent neuroplasticity in professional musicians, detailed understanding of an involvement of the insula is only now beginning to emerge. We investigated the effects of musical training on intrinsic insula‐based connectivity in professional classical musicians relative to nonmusicians using resting‐state functional MRI. Following a tripartite scheme of insula subdivisions, coactivation profiles were analyzed for the posterior, ventral anterior, and dorsal anterior insula in both hemispheres. While whole‐brain connectivity across all participants confirmed previously reported patterns, between‐group comparisons revealed increased insular connectivity in musicians relative to nonmusicians. Coactivated regions encompassed constituents of large‐scale networks involved in salience detection (e.g., anterior and middle cingulate cortex), affective processing (e.g., orbitofrontal cortex and temporal pole), and higher order cognition (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the temporoparietal junction), whereas no differences were found for the reversed group contrast. Importantly, these connectivity patterns were stronger in musicians who experienced more years of musical practice, including also sensorimotor regions involved in music performance (M1 hand area, S1, A1, and SMA). We conclude that musical training triggers significant reorganization in insula‐based networks, potentially facilitating high‐level cognitive and affective functions associated with the fast integration of multisensory information in the context of music performance. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4834–4849, 2017 . © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.