Are We Right about the Right TPJ? A Review of Brain Stimulation and Social Cognition in the Right Temporal Parietal Junction

Abstract

In the past decade, the functional role of the TPJ (Temporal Parietal Junction) has become more evident in terms of its contribution to social cognition. Studies have revealed the TPJ as a ‘distinguisher’ of self and other with research focused on non-clinical populations as well as in individuals with Autism and Type I Schizophrenia. Further research has focused on the integration of self-other distinctions with proprioception. Much of what we now know about the causal role of the right TPJ derives from TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), rTMS repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), and tDCS (transcranial Direct Cortical Stimulation). In this review, we focus on the role of the right TPJ as a moderator of self, which is integrated and distinct from ‘other’ and how brain stimulation has established the causal relationship between the underlying cortex and agency.

Self-Conscious Emotions and the Right Fronto-Temporal and Right Temporal Parietal Junction

“…That is not to say pride does not involve frontal regions [ 108 ]. However, we assume that as ToM requirements increase, there will be a bigger pull of rTPJ [ 109 ]. To test this, we examined excessive pride in a non-clinical sample [ 110 ].…”

Mentalising and depression: a mini-review on behavior, neural substrates, and treatment options

“…Brain stimulation studies showed that disrupting the TPJ reduces people’s ability to mentalise with others or even with their own future self ( 22 ). Potentially, this is because the TPJ is required to differentiate one’s own thoughts and feelings from other people’s ( 23 ). Precuneus and medial PFC, on the other hand, might be important for attributing mental states to other people ( 21 ), and default mode network connectivity in the medial PFC correlates with social (dys)function ( 24 ).…”