The neural basis of humor understanding

对幽默的理解被认为可以增强积极情绪，促进人类的高级认知加工。在这项研究中，我们使用功能磁共振成像(FMRI)技术，研究了幽默背后的神经基础，并探索了四场景漫画(漫画)何时以及如何唤起幽默理解。我们还进行了行为实验，并探索了幽默对工作记忆的影响。从行为学和功能磁共振成像数据中，证实了滑稽状态对认知加工的影响，功能磁共振成像研究结果表明，幽默理解与大脑激活颞叶、颞顶交界处和额叶内侧区域有关。此外，滑稽的主观评分反映为双侧小脑的激活。这些发现表明，幽默的理解依赖于大脑前颞区和双侧小脑的激活

Understanding of humor is assumed to enhance positive emotion and to promote human’s higher cognitive processing. In this study, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique, we investigated the neural substrates underlying humor, and explored when and how humor comprehension would be evoked by a four-scene comic strip (manga). We also conducted behavioral experiments and explored an effect of humor on working memory. From behavioral and fMRI data, an influence of funny condition on the cognitive processing was confirmed, and results of the fMRI studies showed that humor comprehension correlates with brain activation of the temporal lobule, the temporo-parietal junction, and the medial frontal regions. In addition, subjective ratings for funniness were reflected as activation of the bilateral cerebellum. Thesefindings suggest that humor comprehension depends on brain activation of the front temporal regions and the cerebellum in both hemispheres