Self-recognition and the right prefrontal cortex
Abstract
Although the anatomical and functional substrates subserving face recognition have been subject to extensive investigation, the underpinnings of self-face recognition are not well understood. Given the evidence that own-face recognition has been demonstrated by a select number of species, it is intriguing to speculate whether self-face recognition is accomplished via a 'self-network' or simply a 'face-network' within the brain. Furthermore, the relationship of self-recognition to other self-processes, such as self-evaluation and autobiographical retrieval, are not clearly defined. However, data from fMRI, ERPs and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as well as from split-brain studies and patients with focal lesions, indicate that the prefrontal cortex, with possible right hemisphere lateralization, may be a preferential component in self-recognition. Studies using these methods, as well as PET, have indicated that the self-processes of self-evaluation and autobiographical memory preferentially engage networks within the right fronto-temporal region. Although it is highly improbable that there is a 'self-recognition' or 'self' center, it appears that there may be a bias for the processing of 'self' within the right prefrontal cortex.
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Core self-awareness assessed by Damasio and colleagues is based on self-recognition tasks subserved by distributed neural networks involving frontal-temporal and cortical midline structures.
“Second, the “core” self-awareness assessed by Damasio and colleagues (Philippi et al., 2012; Damasio et al., 2013) is based on self-recognition tasks, which are subserved by distributed neural networks also involving the frontal–temporal network (Keenan et al., 2000) and cortical midline structures (Zhu et al., 2007; Han and Northoff, 2009).”
From Anterior insular cortex and emotional awareness (2013) · cites this paper as Keenan et al., 2000
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- Authors
- Keenan, J. P., Wheeler, M. A., Gallup, G. G., & Pascual-Leone, A.
- Affiliations
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- Temple University (US)
- State University of New York (US)
- Corresponding author
- Keenan, Julian Paul
- ORCID
- Keenan, Julian Paul
- Venue
- Trends in Cognitive Sciences
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2000-09
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 338-344
- ISSN
- 1364-6613 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1972820346
- Cited by
- 285
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 0.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Cognitive Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
- Keywords
- self-face recognition, self-recognition, right prefrontal cortex, right hemisphere lateralization, self-assessment, autobiographical memory, face recognition (cognition), fronto-temporal network
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