The salience network is activated during self-recognition from both first-person and third-person perspectives

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Self-Perception Research

Background:

• Humans perceive themselves via direct first-person experience and indirect third-person observation (e.g., mirrors).
• The neural underpinnings distinguishing self-recognition across these perspectives remain largely unexplored.
• Understanding these distinct neural bases is crucial for cognitive neuroscience and psychology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the common and distinct neural mechanisms underlying self-recognition from first-person versus third-person perspectives.
• To compare brain activity when individuals view themselves and others from both viewpoints.
• To identify specific brain networks involved in processing self-referential information across different observational frames.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to measure brain activity.
• Participants viewed video clips of themselves and others performing actions (meal preparation).
• Videos were presented from both first-person and third-person perspectives.

Main Results:

• First-person videos (self and others) showed greater activation in the premotor-intraparietal region.
• Third-person videos elicited increased activity in the default mode network compared to first-person views.
• Self-viewing, irrespective of perspective, engaged the salience network more than viewing others.
• Viewing others, regardless of perspective, activated the precuneus and lingual gyrus more than self-viewing.

Conclusions:

• The salience network plays a common role in self-recognition across both first-person and third-person perspectives.
• Distinct neural pathways are involved in action observation depending on whether the perspective is first-person or third-person.
• These findings elucidate the complex neural architecture supporting self-awareness and perception.