Previous research and current models have proposed that the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) is crucially involved in the control and distinction of shared representations of action. Hitherto, this assumption has mainly been based on neuroimaging work ( (Spengler, von Cramon, & Brass, 2009); (Spengler, von Cramon, & Brass, 2010))
We tested this hypothesis, that the rTPJ is causally involved in managing shared representations by using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in an offline paradigm to disrupt neural activity in this region. Using a simple imitation-inhibition task we showed that stimulation of the rTPJ led to increased reaction times when participants had to control automatic imitation of a perceived hand movement, as they had to concurrently plan and execute an opposite movement.
Our study provides the first empirical evidence that the rTPJ is necessary for managing and navigating within a shared representational system. These results may also have important implications for future theorizing about the role of the TPJ region in controlling shared representations also in other domains, such as somatosensation or emotional experiences.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa.de:bsz:15-qucosa-203986 |
| Date | 08 June 2016 |
| Creators | Köhlert, Katharina |
| Contributors | Max Planck Institut, Kognitions- und Neurowissenschaften, Professor Arno Villringer, Professor Simone Schütz- Bosbach, Professor Joseph Claßen, Professor Hellmuth Obrig |
| Publisher | Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | doc-type:doctoralThesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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