UQ Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 4029,
Department of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom CT2 7NP.
J Neurosci. 2020 Apr 8;40(15):3089-3095. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2637-19.2020. Epub 2020 Mar 4.
A prominent theory claims that the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) is especially associated with embodied processes relevant to perspective-taking. In the present study, we use high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation to provide evidence that the rTPJ is causally associated with the embodied processes underpinning perspective-taking. Eighty-eight young human adults were stratified to receive either rTPJ or dorsomedial PFC anodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation in a sham-controlled, double-blind, repeated-measures design. Perspective-tracking (line-of-sight) and perspective-taking (embodied rotation) were assessed using a visuo-spatial perspective-taking task that required understanding what another person could see or how they see it, respectively. Embodied processing was manipulated by positioning the participant in a manner congruent or incongruent with the orientation of an avatar on the screen. As perspective-taking, but not perspective-tracking, is influenced by bodily position, this allows the investigation of the specific causal role for the rTPJ in embodied processing. Crucially, anodal stimulation to the rTPJ increased the effect of bodily position during perspective-taking, whereas no such effects were identified during perspective-tracking, thereby providing evidence for a causal role for the rTPJ in the embodied component of perspective-taking. Stimulation to the dorsomedial PFC had no effect on perspective-tracking or taking. Therefore, the present study provides support for theories postulating that the rTPJ is causally involved in embodied cognitive processing relevant to social functioning. The ability to understand another's perspective is a fundamental component of social functioning. Adopting another perspective is thought to involve both embodied and nonembodied processes. The present study used high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and provided causal evidence that the right temporoparietal junction is involved specifically in the embodied component of perspective-taking. Specifically, HD-tDCS to the right temporoparietal junction, but not another hub of the social brain (dorsomedial PFC), increased the effect of body position during perspective-taking, but not tracking. This is the first causal evidence that HD-tDCS can modulate social embodied processing in a site-specific and task-specific manner.
一种重要理论认为，右侧颞顶联合区（rTPJ）与涉及换位思考的具身过程特别相关。在本研究中，我们使用高清晰度经颅直流电刺激提供证据表明，rTPJ 与换位思考的具身过程有因果关系。88 名年轻的成年人类被分层接受 rTPJ 或背内侧前额叶皮层（dorsomedial PFC）在假刺激控制、双盲、重复测量设计中的阳极高清晰度经颅直流电刺激。使用视空间换位思考任务评估换位思考（视线）和换位思考（具身旋转），该任务分别要求理解另一个人可以看到什么或他们如何看待它。具身处理通过使参与者的姿势与屏幕上的头像的方向一致或不一致来操纵。由于换位思考，而不是换位思考，受到身体姿势的影响，因此可以研究 rTPJ 在具身处理中的特定因果作用。至关重要的是，rTPJ 的阳极刺激增加了在换位思考过程中身体姿势的影响，而在换位思考过程中没有发现这种影响，从而为 rTPJ 在换位思考的具身成分中的因果作用提供了证据。对背内侧前额叶皮层的刺激对换位思考或采取没有影响。因此，本研究为假设 rTPJ 在与社交功能相关的具身认知处理中具有因果作用的理论提供了支持。理解他人观点的能力是社交功能的基本组成部分。采用另一个观点被认为既涉及具身过程，也涉及非具身过程。本研究使用高清晰度经颅直流电刺激（HD-tDCS）并提供了因果证据，表明右侧颞顶联合区专门参与换位思考的具身成分。具体来说，右侧颞顶联合区的 HD-tDCS，但不是社交大脑的另一个中心（背内侧前额叶皮层），增加了在换位思考过程中身体姿势的影响，但在跟踪时没有影响。这是第一个因果证据表明，HD-tDCS 可以以特定部位和特定任务的方式调节社会具身处理。
