Patterns of multiple brain network activation in dot perspective task

Abstract

In this functional MRI (fMRI) study on 82 healthy adults using the dot perspective task, inconsistency of perspectives was associated with a significant increase of the mean reaction time and number of errors both in Self and Other conditions. Unlike the Arrow (non-mentalizing), the Avatar (mentalizing) paradigm was characterized by the recruitment of parts of the mentalizing and salience networks. These data provide experimental evidence supporting the fMRI distinction between mentalizing and non-mentalizing stimuli. A widespread activation of classical theory of mind (ToM) areas but also of salience network and decision making areas was observed in the Other compared to Self-conditions. Compared to Self-Consistent, Self-Inconsistent trials were related to increased activation in the lateral occipital cortex, right supramarginal and angular gyrus as well as inferior, superior and middle frontal gyri. Compared to the Other-Consistent, Other-Inconsistent trials yielded strong activation in the lateral occipital cortex, precuneus and superior parietal lobule, middle and superior precentral gyri and left frontal pole. These findings reveal that altercentric interference relies on areas involved in self-other distinction, self-updating and central executive functions. In contrast, egocentric interference needs the activation of the mirror neuron system and deductive reasoning, much less related to pure ToM abilities.

Mentalizing and self-other distinction in visual perspective taking: the analysis of temporal neural processing using high-density EEG

“…However, unlike the ITC data, the increased recruitment of beta oscillations in Avatar compared to Arrow in the long-lasting ERP cluster was observed only in the Other condition when the participants needed to activate altercentric perspective-taking. These EEG observations agree with our recent fMRI study (contrasting Avatars and Arrows in inconsistent trials), reporting that in the presence of the Avatar, brain activation is observed not only in classical ToM areas such as the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus but also in frontal lobe subdivisions and paracingulate gyrus (Montandon et al, 2023). Altogether, these results support the idea that mentalistic stimuli (Avatars) induce a distinct pattern of brain activation compared to non-mentalistic ones (Arrows), including parts of the posterior mentalizing networks but also anterior cognitive control-related areas.…”

Visual perspective taking neural processing in forensic cases with high density EEG

“…This viewpoint has been challenged by neurostimulation reports, which show that transcranial magnetic stimulation of right TPJ impairs performance on all self-perspective trials (Arrow and Avatar), indicating the predominance of attentional processes rather than implicit mentalization 17 , 21 . More recently, our fMRI data supported the idea that mentalistic stimuli (Avatars) induce a distinct pattern of brain activation compared to non-mentalistic ones (Arrows), including parts of the mentalizing and salience networks and, to a lesser extent, attentional and cognitive control-related areas 22 .…”