School of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Sci Rep. 2022 Jun 5;12(1):9042. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-12174-9.
Intelligent manipulation of handheld tools marks a major discontinuity between humans and our closest ancestors. Here we identified neural representations about how tools are typically manipulated within left anterior temporal cortex, by shifting a searchlight classifier through whole-brain real action fMRI data when participants grasped 3D-printed tools in ways considered typical for use (i.e., by their handle). These neural representations were automatically evocated as task performance did not require semantic processing. In fact, findings from a behavioural motion-capture experiment confirmed that actions with tools (relative to non-tool) incurred additional processing costs, as would be suspected if semantic areas are being automatically engaged. These results substantiate theories of semantic cognition that claim the anterior temporal cortex combines sensorimotor and semantic content for advanced behaviours like tool manipulation.
对手持工具的智能操作标志着人类与最接近的祖先之间的重大不连续性。在这里，我们通过在参与者以被认为是典型使用方式（即通过手柄）握持 3D 打印工具时，在整个大脑实际动作 fMRI 数据中移动搜索灯分类器，确定了关于工具通常如何被操作的左前颞叶皮层内的神经表示。这些神经表示是自动唤起的，因为任务执行不需要语义处理。事实上，来自行为运动捕捉实验的发现证实，与非工具相比，使用工具的动作会产生额外的处理成本，如果语义区域被自动参与，这是可以预期的。这些结果证实了语义认知理论，该理论声称前颞叶皮层将感觉运动和语义内容结合起来，用于先进的行为，如工具操作。
