Comparing the neural correlates of affective and cognitive theory of mind using fMRI: Involvement of the basal ganglia in affective theory of mind

Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to infer other people’s mental states like intentions or desires. ToM can be differentiated into affective (i.e., recognizing the feelings of another person) and cognitive (i.e., inferring the mental state of the counterpart) subcomponents. Recently, subcortical structures such as the basal ganglia (BG) have also been ascribed to the multifaceted concept ToM and most BG disorders have been reported to elicit ToM deficits. In order to assess both the correlates of affective and cognitive ToM as well as involvement of the basal ganglia, 30 healthy participants underwent event-related fMRI scanning, neuropsychological testing, and filled in questionnaires concerning different aspects of ToM and empathy. Directly contrasting affective (aff) as well as cognitive (cog) ToM to the control (phy) condition, activation was found in classical ToM regions, namely parts of the temporal lobe including the superior temporal sulcus, the supplementary motor area, and parietal structures in the right hemisphere. The contrast aff > phy yielded additional activation in the orbitofrontal cortex on the right and the cingulate cortex, the precentral and inferior frontal gyrus and the cerebellum on the left. The right BG were recruited in this contrast as well. The direct contrast aff > cog showed activation in the temporoparietal junction and the cingulate cortex on the right as well as in the left supplementary motor area. The reverse contrast cog > aff however did not yield any significant clusters. In summary, affective and cognitive ToM partly share neural correlates but can also be differentiated anatomically. Furthermore, the BG are involved in affective ToM and thus their contribution is discussed as possibly providing a motor component of simulation processes, particularly in affective ToM.     

GLOMOsys: A Systems Account of Global Versus Local Processing

Within GLOMO^sys (the GLObal versus LOcal processing MOdel, a systems account) we examine the functionalities of two processing systems that process information either globally or locally (looking at the forest vs. the trees). GLOMO^sys suggests that (a) global versus local perceptual processing carries over to other tasks; (b) perceptual processing is related to conceptual processing (e.g., creative/analytic tasks; face/verbal recognition; similarity/dissimilarity generation; abstract/concrete construals, distance estimates, inclusive/exclusive categorization; assimilation/contrast in social judgments); (c) perceptual and conceptual processing is elicited by real-world variables (e.g., mood, exteroceptive and interoceptive cues of approach/avoidance, promotion/prevention focus, high/low power, distance, obstacles, novelty/familiarity, love/sex, interdependent/independent selves); (d) regulatory focus, psychological distance, and novelty are driving effects; and (e) the global system (glo-sys) processes novelty and the local system (lo-sys) processes familiarity. We discuss whether glo-sys is responsible for understanding meaning, relate the systems to physiological research, and discuss new research questions.     

Begutachtung der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung

There is a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in community-based samples; therefore psychiatric assessment and expert opinion is often required. Professional standards of psychiatric expert opinion in the assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder are outlined. The significance of symptom validity tests is critically discussed. Test results have to be considered carefully in the medicolegal context and require thorough clinical assessment.     

Neurophysiological preconditions of syntax acquisition

Although the neural network for language processing in the adult brain is well specified, the neural underpinning of language acquisition is still underdetermined. Here, we define the milestones of syntax acquisition and discuss the possible neurophysiological preconditions thereof. Early language learning seems to be based on the bilateral temporal cortices. Subsequent syntax acquisition apparently primarily recruits a neural network involving the left frontal cortex and the temporal cortex connected by a ventrally located fiber system. The late developing ability to comprehend syntactically complex sentences appears to require a neural network that connects Broca’s area to the left posterior temporal cortex via a dorsally located fiber pathway. Thus, acquisition of syntax requires the maturation of fiber bundles connecting the classical language-relevant brain regions.     

Suche nach der Ursache des chronischen Ersch?pfungssyndroms

The etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome is subject to a longstanding controversy between scientists, healthcare providers, patients and self-help groups. The reasons for this, sometime heated, dispute are most likely not only due to the diversity and complexity of scientific facts alone but can also be seen as the consequences of the desired legitimation or dreaded delegitimation of the syndrome by the respective etiological model. The mechanisms of these processes will be described one the basis of the current discussion regarding the role of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus in chronic fatigue syndrome.