Exploring the neural basis and modulating factors of implicit altercentric spatial perspective-taking with fNIRS

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Social Cognition

Background:

• Humans naturally adopt others' perspectives for spatial information, particularly with observed actions.
• Two main theories, embodied (hMNS) and disembodied (CCN), explain the neural basis of spatial perspective-taking (SPT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if action observation influences implicit spatial perspective-taking (SPT).
• To determine if cortical activation patterns predict transformation strategies in altercentric SPT.
• To test the involvement of the human mirror neuron system (hMNS) versus the cognitive control network (CCN) in SPT.

Main Methods:

• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure brain activity.
• A spatial judgment task was adapted to assess implicit altercentric and egocentric SPT.
• 117 participants were analyzed, with exploratory analyses on inconsistent subgroups (22 subjects).

Main Results:

• Inconsistent altercentric SPT showed greater activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and left motor cortex (MC).
• No evidence supported spontaneous embodied strategies during implicit altercentric SPT, even with grasping cues.
• Neural patterns in inconsistent subgroups suggest the cognitive control network (CCN) drives deliberate, effortful disembodied strategies.

Conclusions:

• Implicit spatial perspective-taking (SPT) appears to rely more on cognitive control network (CCN) engagement than embodied processes.
• Inconsistent performance in SPT tasks may indicate a shift towards effortful, disembodied strategies.
• Future research should explore the interplay between decision-making consistency and neural mechanisms in SPT.