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


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 <or= 0.05 in all cases).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study are consistent with previous findings supporting the hypothesis that prefrontal and temporo-parietal regions are part of a neural network specifically underpinning the ability to attribute mental states to others.
Costa
Alberto
A
I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
Torriero
Sara
S
Oliveri
Massimiliano
M
Caltagirone
Carlo
C
D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012938:Social Perception; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*