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Brilliant T D, Takeuchi H, Nouchi R, Yokoyama R, Kotozaki Y, Nakagawa S, Hanawa S, Sekiguchi A, Ikeda S, Sakaki K, Kawata KHDS, Nozawa T, Yokota S, Magistro D, Kawashima R. Loneliness inside of the brain: evidence from a large dataset of resting-state fMRI in young adult. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7856. [PMID: 35550564 PMCID: PMC9098468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11724-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although loneliness itself is a natural emotion, prolonged loneliness is detrimental to human health. Despite its detrimental effect, few loneliness-related neuroimaging studies have been published and some have limitations on the sample size number. This study aims to find the difference in resting-state functional connectivity associated with loneliness within a big sample size via the seed-based approach. Functional connectivity analysis was performed on a large cohort of young adults (N = 1336) using the seed-based functional connectivity approach to address the concern from previous studies. The analysis yielded statistically significant positive correlations between loneliness and functional connectivities between the inferior frontal gyrus and supplementary motor area, precentral gyrus, and superior parietal lobule. Additionally, the analysis replicated a finding from a previous study, which is increased functional connectivities between the inferior frontal gyrus and supplementary motor area. In conclusion, greater loneliness is reflected by stronger functional connectivity of the visual attention brain area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denilson Brilliant T
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Hikaru Takeuchi
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Rui Nouchi
- Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Departments of Cognitive Health Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Yuka Kotozaki
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical-Industry Translational Research Center, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Seishu Nakagawa
- Department of Human Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Psychiatry, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Sugiko Hanawa
- Department of Human Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sekiguchi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Ikeda
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Sakaki
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Takayuki Nozawa
- Research Institute for the Earth Inclusive Sensing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susumu Yokota
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daniele Magistro
- Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, England
| | - Ryuta Kawashima
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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2
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Kemmerer D. What modulates the Mirror Neuron System during action observation?: Multiple factors involving the action, the actor, the observer, the relationship between actor and observer, and the context. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 205:102128. [PMID: 34343630 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Seeing an agent perform an action typically triggers a motor simulation of that action in the observer's Mirror Neuron System (MNS). Over the past few years, it has become increasingly clear that during action observation the patterns and strengths of responses in the MNS are modulated by multiple factors. The first aim of this paper is therefore to provide the most comprehensive survey to date of these factors. To that end, 22 distinct factors are described, broken down into the following sets: six involving the action; two involving the actor; nine involving the observer; four involving the relationship between actor and observer; and one involving the context. The second aim is to consider the implications of these findings for four prominent theoretical models of the MNS: the Direct Matching Model; the Predictive Coding Model; the Value-Driven Model; and the Associative Model. These assessments suggest that although each model is supported by a wide range of findings, each one is also challenged by other findings and relatively unaffected by still others. Hence, there is now a pressing need for a richer, more inclusive model that is better able to account for all of the modulatory factors that have been identified so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kemmerer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Lyles-Porter Hall, Purdue University, 715 Clinic Drive, United States.
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3
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Simon JC, Gutsell JN. Recognizing humanity: dehumanization predicts neural mirroring and empathic accuracy in face-to-face interactions. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2021; 16:463-473. [PMID: 33515023 PMCID: PMC8094996 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dehumanization is the failure to recognize the cognitive and emotional complexities of the people around us. While its presence has been well documented in horrific acts of violence, it is also theorized to play a role in everyday life. We measured its presence and effects in face-to-face dyadic interactions between strangers and found that not only was there variance in the extent to which they perceived one another as human, but this variance predicted neural processing and behavior. Specifically, participants showed stronger neural mirroring, indexed by electroencephalography (EEG) mu-suppression, in response to partners they evaluated as more human, suggesting their brains neurally simulated those targets' actions more. Participants were also marginally more empathically accurate about the emotions of partners deemed more human and performed better with them on a cooperative task. These results suggest that there are indeed differences in our recognition of the humanity of people we meet-demonstrated for the first time in a real, face-to-face interaction-and that this mundane variation affects our ability to neurally simulate, cooperate and empathize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy C Simon
- Department of Psychology, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA
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Simon JC, Styczynski N, Gutsell JN. Social perceptions of warmth and competence influence behavioral intentions and neural processing. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 20:265-275. [PMID: 31965474 PMCID: PMC7220095 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-019-00767-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Perceptions of the primary social dimensions, warmth and competence, determine how we view and relate to social targets. To discern how warmth and competence might affect neural processing and its downstream behavioral consequences, we manipulated impressions of targets' warmth and competence and then measured intentions toward the target and motor resonance, a neural process previously linked to social processing. While EEG was recorded, 66 participants watched videos of people performing a simple motor activity and completed a measure of hypothetical intentions to help or harm. Both perceptions of warmth and competence predicted an increase in helping intentions. Moreover, participants showed the least motor resonance with high competence-medium warmth targets, suggesting the importance of both social dimensions in driving neural simulation of targets' actions. Perceptions of a person's warmth and competence can affect not only how others might intend to treat them, but also how they might process their basic experiences on a neural level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy C Simon
- Psychology Department, Brandeis University, MS062, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA.
| | - Nadya Styczynski
- Psychology Department, Brandeis University, MS062, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA
| | - Jennifer N Gutsell
- Psychology Department, Brandeis University, MS062, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA
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Electroencephalographic evidence for the involvement of mirror-neuron and error-monitoring related processes in virtual body ownership. Neuroimage 2020; 207:116351. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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6
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Bargh JA. It Was Social Consistency That Mattered All Along. PSYCHOLOGICAL INQUIRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/1047840x.2018.1480586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John A. Bargh
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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7
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Melnikoff DE, Bargh JA. The Mythical Number Two. Trends Cogn Sci 2018; 22:280-293. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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An Effective Neurofeedback Intervention to Improve Social Interactions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2016. [PMID: 26210513 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2523-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Neurofeedback training (NFT) approaches were investigated to improve behavior, cognition and emotion regulation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Thirteen children with ASD completed pre-/post-assessments and 16 NFT-sessions. The NFT was based on a game that encouraged social interactions and provided feedback based on imitation and emotional responsiveness. Bidirectional training of EEG mu suppression and enhancement (8-12 Hz over somatosensory cortex) was compared to the standard method of enhancing mu. Children learned to control mu rhythm with both methods and showed improvements in (1) electrophysiology: increased mu suppression, (2) emotional responsiveness: improved emotion recognition and spontaneous imitation, and (3) behavior: significantly better behavior in every-day life. Thus, these NFT paradigms improve aspects of behavior necessary for successful social interactions.
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Case LK, Pineda J, Ramachandran VS. Common coding and dynamic interactions between observed, imagined, and experienced motor and somatosensory activity. Neuropsychologia 2015; 79:233-45. [PMID: 25863237 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2014] [Revised: 03/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Motor imagery and perception - considered generally as forms of motor simulation - share overlapping neural representations with motor production. While much research has focused on the extent of this "common coding," less attention has been paid to how these overlapping representations interact. How do imagined, observed, or produced actions influence one another, and how do we maintain control over our perception and behavior? In the first part of this review we describe interactions between motor production and motor simulation, and explore apparent regulatory mechanisms that balance these processes. Next, we consider the somatosensory system. Numerous studies now support a "sensory mirror system" comprised of neural representations activated by either afferent sensation or vicarious sensation. In the second part of this review we summarize evidence for shared representations of sensation and sensory simulation (including imagery and observed sensation), and suggest that similar interactions and regulation of simulation occur in the somatosensory domain as in the motor domain. We suggest that both motor and somatosensory simulations are flexibly regulated to support simulations congruent with our sensorimotor experience and goals and suppress or separate the influence of those that are not. These regulatory mechanisms are frequently revealed by cases of brain injury but can also be employed to facilitate sensorimotor rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Case
- Center for Brain and Cognition, University of California, San Diego, USA; Pain and Integrative Neuroscience Branch, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jaime Pineda
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, USA
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Friedrich EVC, Suttie N, Sivanathan A, Lim T, Louchart S, Pineda JA. Brain-computer interface game applications for combined neurofeedback and biofeedback treatment for children on the autism spectrum. FRONTIERS IN NEUROENGINEERING 2014; 7:21. [PMID: 25071545 PMCID: PMC4080880 DOI: 10.3389/fneng.2014.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show deficits in social and communicative skills, including imitation, empathy, and shared attention, as well as restricted interests and repetitive patterns of behaviors. Evidence for and against the idea that dysfunctions in the mirror neuron system are involved in imitation and could be one underlying cause for ASD is discussed in this review. Neurofeedback interventions have reduced symptoms in children with ASD by self-regulation of brain rhythms. However, cortical deficiencies are not the only cause of these symptoms. Peripheral physiological activity, such as the heart rate and its variability, is closely linked to neurophysiological signals and associated with social engagement. Therefore, a combined approach targeting the interplay between brain, body, and behavior could be more effective. Brain–computer interface applications for combined neurofeedback and biofeedback treatment for children with ASD are currently nonexistent. To facilitate their use, we have designed an innovative game that includes social interactions and provides neural- and body-based feedback that corresponds directly to the underlying significance of the trained signals as well as to the behavior that is reinforced.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil Suttie
- School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Theodore Lim
- School of Engineering and Physical Science, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sandy Louchart
- School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jaime A Pineda
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
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Kim K, Johnson MK. Activity in ventromedial prefrontal cortex during self-related processing: positive subjective value or personal significance? Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2014; 10:494-500. [PMID: 24837477 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsu078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Well-being and subjective experience of a coherent world depend on our sense of 'self' and relations between the self and the environment (e.g. people, objects and ideas). The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) is involved in self-related processing, and disrupted vMPFC activity is associated with disruptions of emotional/social functioning (e.g. depression and autism). Clarifying precise function(s) of vMPFC in self-related processing is an area of active investigation. In this study, we sought to more specifically characterize the function of vMPFC in self-related processing, focusing on two alternative accounts: (i) assignment of positive subjective value to self-related information and (ii) assignment of personal significance to self-related information. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), participants imagined owning objects associated with either their perceived ingroup or outgroup. We found that for ingroup-associated objects, vMPFC showed greater activity for objects with increased than decreased post-ownership preference. In contrast, for outgroup-associated objects, vMPFC showed greater activity for objects with decreased than increased post-ownership preference. Our findings support the idea that the function of vMPFC in self-related processing may not be to represent/evaluate the 'positivity' or absolute preference of self-related information but to assign personal significance to it based on its meaning/function for the self.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungmi Kim
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, USA
| | - Marcia K Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, USA
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