Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain01:22

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain

3.8K
Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, function as the primary transmitters of information throughout the body. Their ability to communicate through electrical and chemical signals is vital for every bodily function, from regulating the heartbeat to processing complex thoughts. Each neuron has three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon, each specialized to facilitate swift and efficient neural communication.
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...
3.8K
Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior01:28

Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior

285
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...
285
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

3.9K
Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
3.9K
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System01:15

Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System

8.2K
The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
8.2K
Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation01:13

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

5.5K
The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
5.5K
Neural Circuits01:25

Neural Circuits

3.0K
Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
3.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Neural representation of action symbols in primate frontal cortex.

Nature·2026
Same author

Facial gestures are enacted through a cortical hierarchy of dynamic and stable codes.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

Cross-species consensus atlas of the primate basal ganglia.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Neural synchrony links sensorimotor cortices in a network for facial motor control.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same author

Parallel systems for social and spatial cognition reaching the cortical apex.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same author

Neural Synchrony Links Sensorimotor Cortices in a Network for Facial Motor Control.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same journal

Erratum for the Research Article "Detecting supramolecular organic nanoparticles during heat wave".

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Local signals, systemic decline.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

The mechanics of liver regeneration.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Computing in a memory with physics.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Retraction.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Making time.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems
08:42

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems

Published on: May 5, 2015

12.7K

A dedicated network for social interaction processing in the primate brain.

J Sliwa1, W A Freiwald1

  • 1The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA. jsliwa@rockefeller.edu wfreiwald@rockefeller.edu.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 20, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers found a brain network for social interaction analysis in monkeys, centered in the prefrontal cortex. This dedicated system may be an evolutionary precursor to human mind-reading abilities.

More Related Videos

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions
10:45

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Published on: July 6, 2011

12.2K
A Pressure Injection System for Investigating the Neuropharmacology of Information Processing in Awake Behaving Macaque Monkey Cortex
09:46

A Pressure Injection System for Investigating the Neuropharmacology of Information Processing in Awake Behaving Macaque Monkey Cortex

Published on: March 14, 2016

8.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems
08:42

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems

Published on: May 5, 2015

12.7K
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions
10:45

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Published on: July 6, 2011

12.2K
A Pressure Injection System for Investigating the Neuropharmacology of Information Processing in Awake Behaving Macaque Monkey Cortex
09:46

A Pressure Injection System for Investigating the Neuropharmacology of Information Processing in Awake Behaving Macaque Monkey Cortex

Published on: March 14, 2016

8.8K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Primate Cognition
  • Social Neuroscience

Background:

  • Primate cognition relies on processing interactions to understand agents and objects.
  • The neural basis for analyzing social and physical interactions remains largely unknown.
  • Understanding interaction processing is key to understanding complex cognitive functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the brain networks responsible for social and physical interaction analysis in primates.
  • To investigate the neural exclusivity and specialization of interaction processing.
  • To explore the evolutionary origins of human social cognition and mind-reading.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed in macaque monkeys.
  • Analysis focused on identifying brain regions activated during social and physical interaction tasks.
  • Network analysis was used to map functional specialization across the entire brain.

Main Results:

  • A distinct network, primarily in the medial and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, was exclusively dedicated to social interaction analysis.
  • No other brain region showed exclusive specialization for any other function examined.
  • Additional networks in the parieto-premotor and temporal regions showed preference for both social and physical interactions.
  • Temporal lobe regions demonstrated fine-grained selectivity for objects, bodies, and faces within interaction processing.

Conclusions:

  • The prefrontal cortex hosts a specialized system for social interaction analysis in primates.
  • This dedicated social interaction network is a potential evolutionary precursor to human theory of mind capabilities.
  • Interaction processing involves distributed but specialized neural networks, with distinct regions for social versus physical stimuli.