Investigation of temporo-frontal interactions for social action information processing

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07267
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 51020:Cognitive and brain science-related
• Research Institution: National Institute for Physiological Sciences
• Principal Investigator: Ninomiya Taihei 生理学研究所, システム脳科学研究領域, 助教 (40586343)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 社会脳ネットワーク / メンタライジング / マカクザル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to investigate how others’ actions are represented in social brain networks. Neuronal activities were recorded in the middle part of the superior temporal sulcus (mid-STS) region and the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) while two macaque monkeys were performing a social choice task. Neurons responsive to others’ actions were found in both areas. Furthermore, those neurons showed a preference for live social interactions. Together with previous studies, these results suggest that mid-STS neurons encode others’ actions (especially those of live agents) and errors in the prediction of partners’ actions, and send such information toward the MPFC.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、マカクザル上側頭溝中間部（mid-STS）と内側前頭前野（MPFC）の自己と他者の行動情報処理における機能的役割や相互作用の一部を明らかにした。特にmid-STSが、他者の意図を推測する機能（心の理論）に重要とされる、ヒト側頭頭頂接合部（TPJ）と機能的に相同であることを、詳細な神経活動解析によって示した。今後、当該脳領野を対象とした社会的認知機能の神経基盤解明や、関連する精神・神経疾患のメカニズム解明に向けた研究が進むことが期待される。