Self-referential belief shares common neural correlates with general belief
Abstract Belief processing and self-referential processing have been consistently associated with cortical midline structures, and cortical regions such as the vmPFC have been implicated in general belief processing. The neural correlates of self-referential belief are yet to be investigated. In thi...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84445-6 |
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author | Emily Bruns Immanuel Scholz Georgia Koppe Peter Kirsch Martin Fungisai Gerchen |
author_facet | Emily Bruns Immanuel Scholz Georgia Koppe Peter Kirsch Martin Fungisai Gerchen |
author_sort | Emily Bruns |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Belief processing and self-referential processing have been consistently associated with cortical midline structures, and cortical regions such as the vmPFC have been implicated in general belief processing. The neural correlates of self-referential belief are yet to be investigated. In this fMRI study, we presented 120 statements with trait adjectives to N = 27 healthy participants, who subsequently judged whether they believed these trait adjectives applied to themselves, a close person, or a public person. Thereafter, participants rated their certainty in this judgment. Expectedly, self-referential processing evoked a large cluster in the vmPFC, ACC, and dmPFC. For belief, we found a cluster in the vmPFC, ACC, and amPFC during statement presentation, partially overlapping with that for self-referential processing. The cluster for self-belief vs. disbelief was similar in location and size to that for general belief processing. For uncertainty, we found dmPFC activation. We replicated vmPFC involvement in belief processing and found a common neural correlate for belief and self-belief in the vmPFC. Furthermore, we replicated the role of the dmPFC in uncertainty, supporting a dual neural process model of belief and certainty. |
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institution | Kabale University |
issn | 2045-2322 |
language | English |
publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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spelling | doaj-art-a1a3bc9c6b314c498d27933861642aec2025-01-19T12:17:41ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111210.1038/s41598-024-84445-6Self-referential belief shares common neural correlates with general beliefEmily Bruns0Immanuel Scholz1Georgia Koppe2Peter Kirsch3Martin Fungisai Gerchen4Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), Medical Faculty Mannheim J5, University of HeidelbergDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), Medical Faculty Mannheim J5, University of HeidelbergHeidelberg Academy of Sciences and HumanitiesDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), Medical Faculty Mannheim J5, University of HeidelbergDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), Medical Faculty Mannheim J5, University of HeidelbergAbstract Belief processing and self-referential processing have been consistently associated with cortical midline structures, and cortical regions such as the vmPFC have been implicated in general belief processing. The neural correlates of self-referential belief are yet to be investigated. In this fMRI study, we presented 120 statements with trait adjectives to N = 27 healthy participants, who subsequently judged whether they believed these trait adjectives applied to themselves, a close person, or a public person. Thereafter, participants rated their certainty in this judgment. Expectedly, self-referential processing evoked a large cluster in the vmPFC, ACC, and dmPFC. For belief, we found a cluster in the vmPFC, ACC, and amPFC during statement presentation, partially overlapping with that for self-referential processing. The cluster for self-belief vs. disbelief was similar in location and size to that for general belief processing. For uncertainty, we found dmPFC activation. We replicated vmPFC involvement in belief processing and found a common neural correlate for belief and self-belief in the vmPFC. Furthermore, we replicated the role of the dmPFC in uncertainty, supporting a dual neural process model of belief and certainty.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84445-6Functional magnetic resonance imagingSelf-referential beliefVentromedial prefrontal cortexDorsomedial prefrontal cortexUncertaintyReplication |
spellingShingle | Emily Bruns Immanuel Scholz Georgia Koppe Peter Kirsch Martin Fungisai Gerchen Self-referential belief shares common neural correlates with general belief Scientific Reports Functional magnetic resonance imaging Self-referential belief Ventromedial prefrontal cortex Dorsomedial prefrontal cortex Uncertainty Replication |
title | Self-referential belief shares common neural correlates with general belief |
title_full | Self-referential belief shares common neural correlates with general belief |
title_fullStr | Self-referential belief shares common neural correlates with general belief |
title_full_unstemmed | Self-referential belief shares common neural correlates with general belief |
title_short | Self-referential belief shares common neural correlates with general belief |
title_sort | self referential belief shares common neural correlates with general belief |
topic | Functional magnetic resonance imaging Self-referential belief Ventromedial prefrontal cortex Dorsomedial prefrontal cortex Uncertainty Replication |
url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84445-6 |
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