Social Brain Networks for the Detection of Agents and Intentions

描述(由申请人提供)：在这次竞争更新中，我们提出了一系列协调的多模式实验，以研究一个假定的模型脑网络的特性，该网络根据动画代理的身体形状和/或运动来快速检测它们，并从对其运动和身份的分析中推断该代理的目标和意图。这些能力对于成功的社交流程至关重要。由于社会加工障碍是神经发育和精神障碍的核心缺陷，如自闭症谱系障碍、威廉综合征、社交焦虑障碍和精神分裂症，我们相信阐明这个网络的特性可能会导致对这些障碍的更深层次的理解和先进的治疗策略。我们将使用由功能磁共振成像、脑电/事件相关电位和直接皮质刺激组成的多模式方法来最好地描述组成这个网络的广泛大脑区域中神经活动的位置、时间和协变性。高级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的机会，直接从硬膜下电极刺激和记录耶鲁大学癫痫手术计划患者的人脑。这项提议包括四个具体目标。在第一个目标中，我们将研究VOTC加工面部和身体形状的时序和定向连接。在第二个目标中，我们将考察LOTC在生命检测和意图归因加工中的时序和定向连接性。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之间的定向连接的变化。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.