The neural basis for mental state attribution: A voxel-based lesion mapping study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Social Cognition

Background:

• Theory of Mind (ToM) is crucial for social cognition, enabling the interpretation of others' intentions.
• Functional imaging studies suggest the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and temporoparietal junction (TPJ) are key ToM hubs.
• Previous evidence for TPJ's role in ToM is primarily correlational from functional imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if specific brain regions are essential for intact ToM performance using a lesion study.
• To investigate the necessity of the right dlPFC and TPJ for ToM, complementing functional imaging data.

Main Methods:

• Voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) was used on individuals with penetrating traumatic brain injury (n=170) and controls (n=30).
• ToM performance was compared across patient groups with lesions in the right TPJ, left TPJ, right dlPFC, left dlPFC, and other locations.
• White matter disconnections associated with lesions were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• Only the group with lesions in the right dlPFC exhibited significantly lower ToM abilities.
• VLSM identified a main cluster in the right middle frontal gyrus and a secondary cluster in the left inferior parietal gyrus.
• Disconnection of the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus and right superior longitudinal fasciculus correlated with impaired ToM.

Conclusions:

• Lesion studies are vital for establishing causal relationships in brain-behavior associations, complementing functional neuroimaging.
• The right dlPFC is confirmed as a critical region for mediating mental state attribution (Theory of Mind).
• Specific white matter tracts, including the left ILF and right SLF, are important for ToM functioning.