We mapped the connections of the insular von Economo neuron (VEN) area in ex vivo brains of a bonobo, an orangutan and two gorillas with high angular resolution diffusion MRI imaging acquired in 36 h imaging sessions for each brain. The apes died of natural causes without neurological disorders. The localization of the insular VEN area was based on cresyl violet-stained histological sections from each brain that were coregistered with structural and diffusion images from the same individuals. Diffusion MRI tractography showed that the insular VEN area is connected with olfactory, gustatory, visual and other sensory systems, as well as systems for the mediation of appetite, reward, aversion and motivation. The insular VEN area in apes is most strongly connected with frontopolar cortex, which could support their capacity to choose voluntarily among alternative courses of action particularly in exploring for food resources. The frontopolar cortex may also support their capacity to take note of potential resources for harvesting in the future (prospective memory). All of these faculties may support insight and volitional choice when contemplating courses of action as opposed to rule-based decision-making.

我们在体外绘制了岛状 von Economo 神经元 (VEN) 区域的连接图一只倭黑猩猩、一只猩猩和两只大猩猩的大脑，在每个大脑的 36 小时成像会话中获得了高角分辨率扩散 MRI 成像。猿类死于自然原因，没有神经系统疾病。岛叶 VEN 区域的定位基于来自每个大脑的甲酚紫染色的组织切片，这些切片与来自同一个人的结构和扩散图像相配准。MRI 弥散成像显示岛叶 VEN 区与嗅觉、味觉、视觉和其他感觉系统以及调节食欲、奖赏、厌恶和动机的系统相连。类人猿的岛状 VEN 区域与额极皮层的联系最为紧密，这可以支持它们在替代行动方案中自愿选择的能力，特别是在探索食物资源方面。额极皮层也可能支持他们记录未来收获的潜在资源（前瞻记忆）的能力。在考虑行动方案而不是基于规则的决策时，所有这些能力都可能支持洞察力和意志选择。