Biological motion processing: the left cerebellum communicates with the right superior temporal sulcus.
The cerebellum is thought to be engaged not only in motor control, but also in the neural network dedicated to visual processing of body motion. However, the pattern of connectivity within this network, in particular, between the cortical circuitry for observation of others' actions and the cerebellum remains largely unknown. By combining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with functional connectivity analysis and dynamic causal modelling (DCM), we assessed cerebro-cerebellar connectivity during a visual perceptual task with point-light displays depicting human locomotion. In the left lateral cerebellum, regions in the lobules Crus I and VIIB exhibited increased fMRI response to biological motion. The outcome of the connectivity analyses delivered the first evidence for reciprocal communication between the left lateral cerebellum and the right posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS). Through communication with the right posterior STS that is a key node not only for biological motion perception but also for social interaction and visual tasks on theory of mind, the left cerebellum might be involved in a wide range of social cognitive functions.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tübingen Medical School, and Developmental Cognitive and Social Neuroscience Unit, Department of Pediatric Neurology and Child Development, Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany. arseny.sokolov@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Arseny A
AA
Sokolov
Michael
M
Erb
Alireza
A
Gharabaghi
Wolfgang
W
Grodd
Marcos S
MS
Tatagiba
Marina A
MA
Pavlova
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen