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Parietal cortex and representation of the mental Self
Hans C Lou1, Bruce Luber, Michael Crupain
1Magnetic Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Biological Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA. hclou@inet.uni2.dk
Summary
Conscious self-representation relies on episodic memory retrieval. Neuroimaging reveals a network including medial parietal cortex, crucial for self-representation and memory, functioning even in resting consciousness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Conscious self-representation, termed autonoetic consciousness, is vital for a meaningful life.
- Episodic memory retrieval is considered the basis for autonoetic consciousness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural network supporting self-representation during episodic memory retrieval.
- To determine the role of the medial parietal cortex in this network.
Main Methods:
- Positron-emission tomography (PET) to assess functional connectivity.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to probe the necessity of the medial parietal cortex.
Main Results:
- Medial prefrontal and parietal cortices are functionally connected and interact with lateral regions.
- Activation in lateral temporal and parietal regions varied with the degree of self-reference.
- TMS over the medial parietal cortex impaired self-related episodic memory retrieval.
Conclusions:
- The medial parietal cortex acts as a nodal structure in self-representation, connecting medial and lateral brain regions.
- This network is implicated in both active self-representation and resting consciousness, suggesting self-monitoring as a core function.