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Cited by 59Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesFunctional Brain Connectivity StudiesPhilosophy and Theoretical Science

Self-specific processing in the default network: a single-pulse TMS study

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Lou, Hans C., Luber, Bruce, Stanford, Arielle, Lisanby, Sarah H.·2010·Experimental Brain Research
DOI 10.1007/s00221-010-2425-xPMC PMC3008414
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Abstract

In examining neural processing specific to the self, primarily by contrasting self-related stimuli with non-self-related stimuli (i.e., self vs. other), neuroimaging studies have activated a consistent set of regions, including medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), precuneus, and right and left inferior parietal cortex. However, criticism has arisen that this network may not be specific to self-related processing, but instead reflects a more general aspect of cortical processing. For example, it is almost identical to the active network of the resting state, the "default" mode, when the subject is free to think about anything at all. We tested the self-specificity of this network by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to briefly disrupt local cortical processing while subjects rated adjectives as like or unlike themselves or their best friend. Healthy volunteers show a self-reference effect (SRE) in this task, in which performance with self-related items is superior to that with other-related items. As individual adjectives appeared on a monitor, single-pulse TMS was applied at five different times relative to stimulus onset (SOA: stimulus onset asynchrony) ranging from 0 to 480 ms. In 18 subjects, TMS to left parietal cortex suppressed the SRE from 160 to 480 ms. SRE suppression occurred at later SOA with TMS to the right parietal cortex. In contrast, no effects were seen with TMS to MPFC. Together with our previous work, these results provide evidence for a self-specific processing system in which midline and lateral inferior parietal cortices, as elements of the default network, play a role in ongoing self-awareness.

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  • Self-related brain regions like the precuneus and midline structures from the PAG to orbitofrontal cortex may be mobilized by conscious sensory contents.

    “Lou et al. (2010) have shown that self-related brain regions like the precuneus and midline structures from the PAG to orbitofrontal cortex may be mobilized by conscious sensory contents.”

    From Global Workspace Dynamics: Cortical “Binding and Propagation” Enables Conscious Contents (2013) · cites this paper as Lou et al. (2010)

    The Introduction (page unavailable) identifies the precuneus and medial prefrontal cortex as regions activated in self-related tasks. The Discussion (page unavailable) speculates that sensory information may enter a self-referential network and compete for access to consciousness. It does not describe midline structures extending from the PAG to the orbitofrontal cortex or show that conscious sensory contents mobilize that proposed range of regions. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Authors
Lou, H. C., Luber, B., Stanford, A., & Lisanby, S. H.
Affiliations
  • Aarhus University Hospital (DK)
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Lou, Hans C.
ORCID
Venue
Experimental Brain Research
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010-09-29
Volume
207
Issue
1-2
Pages
27-38
ISSN
  • 0014-4819 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-1106
DOI
10.1007/s00221-010-2425-x
PMC
PMC3008414
OpenAlex
W2017681988
Cited by
59
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 5
FWCI
3.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Experimental Brain Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (K23MH076976, L30 MH072461)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Keywords
default mode network, self-reference effect, inferior parietal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, self-awareness, self-other distinction, stimulus onset asynchrony
MeSH terms
Adult, Analysis of Variance, Attention, Brain, Female, Humans, Male, Nerve Net, Personality, Photic Stimulation, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Self Concept, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

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