Social Brain Networks for the Detection of Agents and Intentions

描述（由申请人提供）：在这个竞争性的更新中，我们提出了一系列协调的多模态实验来研究一个假定的模型大脑网络的特性，该网络可以根据它们的身体形式和/或运动快速检测有生命的代理，并通过分析其运动和身份来推断代理的目标和意图。这些能力对于成功的社会处理是必不可少的。由于社交处理功能障碍是神经发育和精神疾病的核心缺陷，如自闭症谱系障碍、威廉综合征、社交焦虑症和精神分裂症等，我们相信，阐明这一网络的特性可能会导致对这些疾病的更深层次的理解，并推进治疗策略。我们将使用多模态方法，包括功能性MRI、EEG/ERP和直接皮层刺激，以最好地表征构成该网络的广泛大脑区域的神经活动的位置、时间和共变。先进的定向连接和解码分析将用于分析网络节点之间的信息流。这些研究将受益于我们通过硬脑膜下电极直接刺激和记录耶鲁癫痫手术项目患者的大脑。这项建议包括四个具体目标。在第一个目标中，我们将研究VOTC处理面部和身体形态的时间和定向连接。在第二个目标中，我们将研究动画检测和意图归因的LOTC处理的时间和定向连接。在第三个目标中，我们将研究由于动画代理呈现的形式和运动而导致的pSTS和FG之间定向连接的变化。在第四个目标中，我们将研究VATL中关于动画代理的语义信息的访问。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this competing renewal, we propose a coordinated series of multimodal experiments to study the properties of a putative model brain network that rapidly detects animate agents on the basis of their body form and/or motion, and infers the agent's goals and intentions from an analysis of its motion and its identity. These competencies are essential for successful social processing. As dysfunction of social processing is a core deficit in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders as diverse as autism spectrum disorders, William's syndrome, social anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia, we believe that elucidating the properties of this network may lead to a deeper understanding of these disorders and advance strategies for treatment. We will use a multi-modal approach consisting of functional MRI, EEG/ERP, and direct cortical stimulation to best characterize the location, timing, and covariation of neural activity in widespread brain regions presumed to comprise this network. Advanced directed connectivity and decoding analyses will be used to analyze the flow of information among the network nodes. These studies will benefit from our opportunity to stimulate and record directly from subdural electrodes the human brain in patients in the Yale Epilepsy Surgery Program. This proposal comprises four specific aims. In the first aim, we will investigate the timing and directed connectivity upon VOTC processing of faces and body forms. In the second aim, we will investigate the timing and directed connectivity upon LOTC processing of animacy detection and intention attribution. In the third aim, we will investigate changes in directed connectivity between the pSTS and FG as a consequence of the form and motion presented by an animate agent. In the fourth aim, we will investigate the access of semantic information regarding animate agents in the VATL. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Debilitating deficits in social processing is a core symptom of many psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders as diverse as schizophrenia, Williams syndrome, social anxiety disorders, and autistic spectrum disorders. Rapid progress has been made in identifying brain regions sensitive to socially relevant cue such as emotional face expressions, gaze shifts, biological motion, and to important social competences such as the inference of another's goals and intentions. Thus, our focus in this competing renewal is on investigating the connections between components of a brain network that associates people's identities and intentions in the service of predicting future behavior - the essence of social processing. Understanding the nature of information transactions among the nodes of this putative network should deepen our insights into the aforementioned clinical disorders and eventually lead to better treatments.