The widespread action observation/execution matching system for facial expression processing.
Wataru Sato1, Takanori Kochiyama2, Sakiko Yoshikawa3
1Psychological Process Research Team, Guardian Robot Project, RIKEN, Kyoto, Japan.
Human Brain Mapping
|March 10, 2023
Summary
Observing facial emotions involves motor synchronization. This study reveals a widespread brain network, including the neocortex, limbic system, and cerebellum, active during both observing and executing emotional expressions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Social Neuroscience
Background:
- Observing and understanding emotional facial expressions is crucial for communication.
- Previous fMRI studies identified neocortical motor regions in the action observation/execution matching system for facial expressions.
- The involvement of limbic, cerebellum, and brainstem regions, and their network formation, remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the observation and execution of emotional facial expressions.
- To determine if limbic, cerebellum, and brainstem regions are part of the facial expression observation/execution matching system.
- To ascertain if these regions form a functional network.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used.
- Participants observed dynamic facial expressions (anger, happiness) and executed corresponding facial muscle activity.
- Conjunction analyses and group independent component analysis were employed.
Main Results:
- Neocortical motor regions (right ventral premotor cortex, right supplementary motor area) were activated.
- Limbic (amygdala), basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem (facial nerve nucleus) regions also showed activation during both tasks.
- A functional network involving these diverse regions was identified.
Conclusions:
- Motor synchronization of emotional facial expressions engages a broad observation/execution matching network.
- This network extends beyond the neocortex to include the limbic system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem.
- These findings elucidate the neural basis of empathic facial expression processing.
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