scholarly journals Grasping the Intentions of Others: The Perceived Intentionality of an Action Influences Activity in the Superior Temporal Sulcus during Social Perception

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1706-1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Pelphrey ◽  
James P. Morris ◽  
Gregory McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Social Perception ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Superior Temporal Sulcus ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Passive Viewing ◽  
Oxygenation Level ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
The Right

An explication of the neural substrates for social perception is an important component in the emerging field of social cognitive neuroscience and is relevant to the field of cognitive neuroscience as a whole. Prior studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that passive viewing of biological motion (Pelphrey, Mitchell, et al., 2003; Puce et al., 1998) activates the posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) region. Furthermore, recent evidence has shown that the perceived context of observed gaze shifts (Pelphrey, Singerman, et al., 2003; Pelphrey et al., 2004) modulates STS activity. Here, using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging at 4 T, we investigated brain activity in response to passive viewing of goal- and non-goal- directed reaching-to-grasp movements. Participants viewed an animated character making reaching-to-grasp movements either toward (correct) or away (incorrect) from a blinking dial. Both conditions evoked significant posterior STS activity that was strongly right lateralized. By examining the time course of the blood oxygenation level-dependent response from areas of activation, we observed a functional dissociation. Incorrect trials evoked significantly greater activity in the STS than did correct trials, while an area posterior and inferior to the STS (likely corresponding to the MT/V5 complex) responded equally to correct and incorrect movements. Parietal cortical regions, including the superior parietal lobule and the anterior intraparietal sulcus, also responded equally to correct and incorrect movements, but showed evidence for differential responding based on the hand and arm (left or right) of the animated character used to make the reaching-to-grasp movement. The results of this study further suggest that a region of the right posterior STS is involved in analyzing the intentions of other people's actions and that activity in this region is sensitive to the context of observed biological motions.

scholarly journals Existence of Interhemispheric Inhibition between Foot Sections of Human Primary Motor Cortices: Evidence from Negative Blood Oxygenation-Level Dependent Signal

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1099
Author(s):  
Eiichi Naito ◽  
Tomoyo Morita ◽  
Nodoka Kimura ◽  
Minoru Asada
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽  
Hand Movement ◽  
Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Interhemispheric Inhibition ◽  
Blood Oxygenation Level ◽  
Oxygenation Level ◽  
Dependent Signal ◽  
The Right

Interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) between the left and right primary motor cortices (M1) plays an important role when people perform an isolated unilateral limb movement. Moreover, negative blood oxygenation-level dependent signal (deactivation) obtained from the M1 ipsilateral to the limb could be a surrogate IHI marker. Studies have reported deactivation in the hand section of the ipsilateral M1 during simple unilateral hand movement. However, deactivation in the foot section during unilateral foot movement has not been reported. Therefore, IHI between the foot sections of the bilateral M1s has been considered very weak or absent. Thirty-seven healthy adults performed active control of the right foot and also passively received vibration to the tendon of the tibialis anterior muscle of the right foot, which activates the foot section of the contralateral M1, with brain activity being examined through functional magnetic resonance imaging. The vibration and active tasks significantly and non-significantly, respectively, deactivated the foot section of the ipsilateral M1, with a corresponding 86% and 60% of the participants showing decreased activity. Thus, there could be IHI between the foot sections of the bilateral M1s. Further, our findings demonstrate between-task differences and similarities in cross-somatotopic deactivation.

scholarly journals Beyond BOLD: in search of genuine diffusion fMRI contrast in human brain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wiktor Olszowy ◽  
Yujian Diao ◽  
Ileana O Jelescu
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽  
Apparent Diffusion ◽  
Oxygenation Level ◽  
Vascular Origin ◽  
Positive Correlations

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is an essential method to measure brain activity non-invasively. While fMRI almost systematically relies on the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast, there is an increasing interest in alternative methods that would not rely on neurovascular coupling. A promising but controversial such alternative is diffusion fMRI (dfMRI), which relies instead on dynamic fluctuations in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) due to microstructural changes underlying neuronal activity. However, it is unclear whether genuine dfMRI contrast, distinct from BOLD contamination, can be detected in the human brain in physiological conditions. Here, we present the first dfMRI study in humans attempting to minimize all BOLD contamination sources and comparing functional responses at two field strengths (3T and 7T), both for task and resting-state (RS) fMRI. Our study benefits from unprecedented high spatiotemporal resolution and harnesses novel denoising strategies. We report task-induced decrease in ADC with temporal and spatial features distinct from the BOLD response and yielding more specific activation maps. Furthermore, we report dfMRI RS connectivity which, compared to its BOLD counterpart, is essentially free from physiological artifacts and preserves positive correlations but preferentially suppresses anti-correlations, which are likely of vascular origin. A careful acquisition and processing design thus enable the detection of genuine dfMRI contrast on clinical MRI systems. As opposed to BOLD, diffusion functional contrast could be particularly well suited for low-field MRI.

scholarly journals Vagal nerve stimulation triggers widespread responses and alters large-scale functional connectivity in the rat brain

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayue Cao ◽  
Kun-Han Lu ◽  
Terry L. Powley ◽  
Zhongming Liu
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
7 Tesla ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Oxygenation Level

AbstractVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a therapy for epilepsy and depression. However, its efficacy varies and its mechanism remains unclear. Prior studies have used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map brain activations with VNS in human brains, but have reported inconsistent findings. The source of inconsistency is likely attributable to the complex temporal characteristics of VNS-evoked fMRI responses that cannot be fully explained by simplified response models in the conventional model-based analysis for activation mapping. To address this issue, we acquired 7-Tesla blood oxygenation level dependent fMRI data from anesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats receiving electrical stimulation at the left cervical vagus nerve. Using spatially independent component analysis, we identified 20 functional brain networks and detected the network-wise activations with VNS in a data-driven manner. Our results showed that VNS activated 15 out of 20 brain networks, and the activated regions covered >76% of the brain volume. The time course of the evoked response was complex and distinct across regions and networks. In addition, VNS altered the strengths and patterns of correlations among brain networks relative to those in the resting state. The most notable changes in network-network interactions were related to the limbic system. Together, such profound and widespread effects of VNS may underlie its unique potential for a wide range of therapeutics to relieve central or peripheral conditions.

scholarly journals Finding the neural correlates of collaboration using a three-person fMRI hyperscanning paradigm

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Xie ◽  
Amber Howell ◽  
Meredith Schreier ◽  
Kristen E. Sheau ◽  
Mai K. Manchanda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Drawing Task ◽  
The Social ◽  
Oxygenation Level ◽  
The Right ◽  
First Time

AbstractHumans have an extraordinary ability to interact and cooperate with others, which plays a pivotal role in societies at large. Despite its potential social and evolutionary significance, research on finding the neural correlates of collaboration has been limited partly due to restrictions on simultaneous neuroimaging of more than one participant (a.k.a. hyperscanning). A series of works now exists that used dyadic fMRI hyperscanning to examine the interaction between two participants. However, to our knowledge, no study to date has aimed at revealing the neural correlates of social interactions using a 3-person (or triadic) fMRI hyperscanning paradigm. Here, for the first time, we simultaneously measured the blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signal of triads (m=12 triads; n=36 participants), while they engaged in a joint drawing task based on the social game of Pictionary®. General linear model (GLM) analysis revealed increased activation in the brain regions previously linked with the theory of mind (ToM) during the collaborative phase compared to the independent phase of the task. Furthermore, using intersubject brain synchronization (IBS) analysis, we revealed increased synchrony of the right temporo-parietal junction (R TPJ) during the collaborative phase. The increased synchrony in the R TPJ was observed to be positively associated with the overall team performance on the task. In sum, our novel paradigm revealed a vital role of the R TPJ among other ToM regions during a triadic collaborative drawing task.

Representation of Umami Taste in the Human Brain

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 313-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.E.T. de Araujo ◽  
M. L. Kringelbach ◽  
E. T. Rolls ◽  
P. Hobden
Keyword(s):  
Orbitofrontal Cortex ◽  
Anterior Part ◽  
Monosodium Glutamate ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Bold Signal ◽  
Taste System ◽  
Umami Taste ◽  
Oxygenation Level ◽  
Cortical Regions

Umami taste stimuli, of which an exemplar is monosodium glutamate (MSG) and which capture what is described as the taste of protein, were shown using functional MRI (fMRI) to activate similar cortical regions of the human taste system to those activated by a prototypical taste stimulus, glucose. These taste regions included the insular/opercular cortex and the caudolateral orbitofrontal cortex. A part of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was also activated. When the nucleotide 0.005 M inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) was added to MSG (0.05 M), the blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signal in an anterior part of the orbitofrontal cortex showed supralinear additivity; this may reflect the subjective enhancement of umami taste that has been described when IMP is added to MSG. These results extend to humans previous studies in macaques showing that single neurons in these taste cortical areas can be tuned to umami stimuli.

scholarly journals Neuroaging through the Lens of the Resting State Networks

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Cieri ◽  
Roberto Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Resting State Networks ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Alzheimer Dementia ◽  
Structural Modifications ◽  
Oxygenation Level

Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) allows studying spontaneous brain activity in absence of task, recording changes of Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal. rs-fMRI enables identification of brain networks also called Resting State Networks (RSNs) including the most studied Default Mode Network (DMN). The simplicity and speed of execution make rs-fMRI applicable in a variety of normal and pathological conditions. Since it does not require any task, rs-fMRI is particularly useful for protocols on patients, children, and elders, increasing participant’s compliance and reducing intersubjective variability due to the task performance. rs-fMRI has shown high sensitivity in identification of RSNs modifications in several diseases also in absence of structural modifications. In this narrative review, we provide the state of the art of rs-fMRI studies about physiological and pathological aging processes. First, we introduce the background of resting state; then we review clinical findings provided by rs-fMRI in physiological aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer Dementia (AD), and Late Life Depression (LLD). Finally, we suggest future directions in this field of research and its potential clinical applications.

scholarly journals Thetaburst TMS to the posterior superior temporal sulcus decreases resting-state fMRI connectivity across the face processing network

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A Handwerker ◽  
Geena Ianni ◽  
Benjamin Gutierrez ◽  
Vinai Roopchansingh ◽  
Javier Gonzalez-Castillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Face Processing ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Superior Temporal Sulcus ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Right ◽  
Processing Network ◽  
Posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus

AbstractHumans process faces using a network of face-selective regions distributed across the brain. Neuropsychological patient studies demonstrate that focal damage to nodes in this network can impair face recognition, but such patients are rare. We approximated the effects of damage to the face network in neurologically normal human participants using thetaburst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS). Multi-echo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) resting-state data were collected pre- and post-TBS delivery over the face-selective right superior temporal sulcus (rpSTS), or a control site in the right motor cortex. Results showed that TBS delivered over the rpSTS reduced resting-state connectivity across the extended face-processing network. This connectivity reduction was observed not only between the rpSTS and other face-selective areas, but also between non-stimulated face-selective areas across the ventral, medial and lateral brain surfaces (e.g. between the right amygdala and bilateral fusiform face areas and occipital face areas). TBS delivered over the motor cortex did not produce significant changes in resting-state connectivity across the face-processing network. These results demonstrate that, even without task-induced fMRI signal changes, disrupting a single node in a brain network can decrease the functional connectivity between nodes in that network that have not been directly stimulated.Author SummaryHuman behavior is dependent on brain networks that perform different cognitive functions. We combined thetaburst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) with resting-state fMRI to study the face processing network. Disruption of the face-selective right posterior superior temporal sulcus (rpSTS) reduced fMRI connectivity across the face network. This impairment in connectivity was observed not only between the rpSTS and other face-selective areas, but also between non-stimulated face-selective areas on the ventral and medial brain surfaces (e.g. between the right amygdala and bilateral fusiform face areas and occipital face areas). Thus, combined TBS/fMRI can be used to approximate and measure the effects of focal brain damage on brain networks, and suggests such an approach may be useful for mapping intrinsic network organization.Technical TermsTBS vs TMSTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a method that induces current in neural tissue by using a rapidly changing magnetic field. The pattern of magnetic field changes can vary. Thetaburst TMS (TBS) is a type of TMS where the same stimulation pattern fluctuates at around a 5Hz cycle.Multi-echo fMRIDuring typical fMRI, protons are excited and there is a delay, the echo time, before data are collected. That delay is typically designed to result in a high contrast for blood oxygenation differences. In multi-echo fMRI, data are collected at several echo times each time protons are excited. This results in data that have different levels of contrast for blood oxygenation differences. This added information can be used to empirically decrease noise.Face networkA group of brain regions that show significant activity changes in response to visual face stimuli. While these regions have been defined using univariate analyses with task-based fMRI, they often significantly correlate with each other at rest. In this manuscript, the following regions were a priori defined as part of the face network: posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), amygdala, fusiform face area (FFA), and occipital face area (OFA).Matrix based analysis (MBA)A recent approach that uses a Bayesian multilevel modeling framework to identify pairs of ROIs where a decrease in correlation magnitude was larger than expected along with a measure of statistical evidence. With this approach, correlations between all pairs of ROIs are assessed as part of a single model rather than many independent statistical tests.

scholarly journals Interpreting BOLD: towards a dialogue between cognitive and cellular neuroscience

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1705) ◽  
pp. 20150348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine N. Hall ◽  
Clare Howarth ◽  
Zebulun Kurth-Nelson ◽  
Anusha Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Vascular Perfusion ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Oxygenation Level ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Surrogate Measure

Cognitive neuroscience depends on the use of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to probe brain function. Although commonly used as a surrogate measure of neuronal activity, BOLD signals actually reflect changes in brain blood oxygenation. Understanding the mechanisms linking neuronal activity to vascular perfusion is, therefore, critical in interpreting BOLD. Advances in cellular neuroscience demonstrating differences in this neurovascular relationship in different brain regions, conditions or pathologies are often not accounted for when interpreting BOLD. Meanwhile, within cognitive neuroscience, the increasing use of high magnetic field strengths and the development of model-based tasks and analyses have broadened the capability of BOLD signals to inform us about the underlying neuronal activity, but these methods are less well understood by cellular neuroscientists. In 2016, a Royal Society Theo Murphy Meeting brought scientists from the two communities together to discuss these issues. Here, we consolidate the main conclusions arising from that meeting. We discuss areas of consensus about what BOLD fMRI can tell us about underlying neuronal activity, and how advanced modelling techniques have improved our ability to use and interpret BOLD. We also highlight areas of controversy in understanding BOLD and suggest research directions required to resolve these issues. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Interpreting BOLD: a dialogue between cognitive and cellular neuroscience’.

scholarly journals Antenatal maternal anxiety modulates the BOLD response in 20-year old adolescents during an endogenous cognitive control task

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Mennes ◽  
Bea R.H. Van den Bergh ◽  
Stefan Sunaert ◽  
Lieven Lagae ◽  
Peter Stiers
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Maternal Anxiety ◽  
Bold Response ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Prefrontal Cortical ◽  
Previous Hypothesis ◽  
Oxygenation Level

AbstractEvidence is building for an association between the level of anxiety experienced by a mother during pregnancy and the cognitive development of her offspring. The current study uses fMRI to examine whether there is an association between prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety and brain activity in 20 year old adolescents. In line with previous results of this follow-up study, it was found that adolescents of mothers reporting high levels of anxiety during weeks 12–22 of their pregnancy had a different pattern of decision making in a Gambling paradigm requiring endogenous cognitive control compared to adolescents of mothers reporting low to average levels of anxiety during pregnancy. Moreover, the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response in a number of prefrontal cortical areas was modulated by the level of antenatal maternal anxiety. In particular a number of right lateralized clusters including inferior frontal junction, that were modulated in the adolescents of mothers reporting low to average levels of anxiety during pregnancy by a task manipulation of cognitive control, were not modulated by this manipulation in the adolescents of mothers reporting high levels of anxiety during pregnancy. These results provide a neurobiological underpinning for our previous hypothesis of an association between a deficit in endogenous cognitive control in adolescence and exposure to maternal anxiety in the prenatal life period.

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