Human brain network for reading the mind from the eyes: beyond activated and deactivated regions

BOLD signal changes in the Theory of Mind (ToM) network often reflect reduced deactivation during target conditions, yet these below-baseline effects remain largely unaddressed. Using fMRI data from an extended version of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, we examined task-modulated functional connectivity (TMFC) of these areas. We revealed that, despite below-baseline BOLD responses during the reading the mind in the eyes (RME) task, TPJ-pSTS subregions in the left middle and superior temporal gyri, and angular gyrus (AG) demonstrated TMFC patterns closely resembling those of ToM network areas in the pSTS and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) showing above-baseline activations. The RME task-associated network included regions supporting affective mentalizing (bilateral TPJ-pSTS, IFG, middle frontal gyri, precentral gyri, supplementary motor area) and face-processing areas. These areas also elicited reduced TMFC with ToM network subregions in the AG, supramarginal gyrus, precuneus, and medial prefrontal cortex, associated with cognitive mentalizing. These findings demonstrate that regions with greater BOLD responses during the RME task, despite these responses remaining below baseline, are functionally engaged. Together, the results indicate a dynamic interaction between ToM network subcomponents during the RME task, characterized by engagement of the affective subcomponent and its functional segregation from the cognitive subcomponent.