Electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the perception of biological motion: A systematic scoping review

Decoding information from the actions of others is a fundamental aspect of social interaction. Biological motion (BM), demonstrated through point-light displays, offers compelling evidence of the ability of the human visual system to extract rich social information. Neuroimaging studies have implicated social brain networks in BM processing. However, the temporal dynamics of BM perception remain unclear. While several event-related potential (ERP) studies have investigated BM perception, a systematic characterization of ERP components and their functional significance is lacking. In this review, we aimed to critically examine the ERP literature on BM perception, focusing on the functional roles of its key components. We identified five principal ERP components: P1, N1, N2, P2/3, and the later components. Notably, the second negative ERP component observed at approximately 240-400 ms appears to reflect global shape processing mediated by local motion signals, while later components may index higher-order processes, such as action recognition. This review synthesizes the electrophysiological evidence underlying BM perception and emphasizes the need for systematic investigations into the role of the later ERP components. Future studies should elucidate their contributions to the hierarchical processing of BM.