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MASSIMILIANO OLIVERI

Prefrontal and temporo-parietal involvement in taking others' perspective: TMS evidence.

  • Autori: COSTA A; TORRIERO S; OLIVERI M; CALTAGIRONE C
  • Anno di pubblicazione: 2008
  • Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
  • OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/35350

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the mental states of others entails a number of cognitive processes known as Theory of Mind (ToM). Behavioural and functional neuroimaging evidence suggests that prefrontal and temporo-parietal cortices are involved in these abilities. The present study was aimed at investigating the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporo-parietal junction in ToM by using a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) paradigm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven healthy subjects participated in the study. The experimental ToM procedure was constituted by false belief and faux-pas written stories. Subjects were evaluated in baseline condition (Sham) and after 1Hz rTMS over the left/right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporo-parietal junction. A score for accuracy and response times were recorded. RESULTS: As regards false beliefs, rTMS over right prefrontal and temporo-parietal areas significantly interfered with response times (p<0.05$). The application of rTMS over right/left prefrontal and right temporo-parietal cortices also significantly worsened accuracy in the ability to take the others' perspective in faux-pas tasks as compared to Sham (p