Q2. What are the regions that are consistently activated in studies of theory-of-mind ability?
In addition to the anterior paracingulate cortex, two regions, the STS and the temporal poles bilaterally, consistently activate in studies of theory-of-mind ability.
Q3. What is the role of the amygdala in the development of theory of mind?
The rapid and automatic response of the amygdala to socially salient stimuli might have an important role in the development of theory of mind.
Q4. What is the role of the temporal poles in the cognitive network?
functional imaging studies of humans have activated the temporal poles in association with the broader context of episodic memory retrieval in visual and auditory domains.
Q5. What is the role of the orbitofrontal cortex in theory of mind?
Clinical observations in humans and experimental reports in primates have consistently indicated that the orbitofrontal cortex is engaged in the regulation of social behaviour [69,70].
Q6. What is the role of the right STS in the study of theory-of-mind?
Other functional neuroimaging studies of theory-of-mind taskshttp://tics.trends.comhave associated STS activity with the involvement of people when understanding causality and intentionality [14], the attribution of intentions to the movements of geometric shapes [15] and taking the self-perspective [16].
Q7. What is the significance of the term mentalizing?
It is clear that mentalizing recruits regions of the brain involved in the general interpretation of behaviour that contribute to a neural network of social cognition, the extent of which remains to be identified and the specific functions to be determined.
Q8. What are the limitations of neuropsychology data?
neuropsychology data, although identifying involvement of brain regions such as the frontal lobes and amygdala, are limited by their ability to pinpoint functions to specific structures.
Q9. What is the role of the STS in social cognitive networks?
The results of neuroimaging, electrophysiological and single-cell recording studies converge to suggest that initial analysis of social cues occurs in the STS region, which is anatomically well sited to integrate information derived from both the ventral and dorsal visual pathways.
Q10. What is the role of neuroimaging in determining the precise functions of the neural substrates?
Neuroimaging is set to play a significant role in determining the precise functions of the neural substrates comprising this network and the mechanisms underlying theory of mind.
Q11. What are the two regions that provide clues to the origins of this mechanism?
These two regions provide clues to the origins of this mechanism as they both support preexisting functions and are involved in processing explicit behavioural information such as the perception of intentional behaviour (the STS) and the retrieval from memory of personal experiences (the temporal poles), which are believed to be essential prerequisites for the development of such an ability.
Q12. What is the role of the right STS in the social cognitive network?
The results of the Gallagher et al. [13] study, in particular, indicate that the right STS is involved in explaining the behaviour of others as a result of recognizing a physical cause or their mental state.
Q13. What is the role of the right STS in the study of theory-of-mind ability?
Gallagher et al. [13] found predominantly right STS to be associated with understanding the meaning of stories and cartoons involving people, with or without the requirement to mentalize.