Sense of external agency is sustained by multisensory functional integration in the somatosensory cortex

Abstract

“Sense of agency” (SoA), the feeling of control for events caused by one's own actions, is deceived by visuomotor incongruence. Sensorimotor networks are implicated in SoA, however little evidence exists on brain functionality during agency processing. Concurrently, it has been suggested that the brain's intrinsic resting‐state (rs) activity has a preliminary influence on processing of agency cues. Here, we investigated the relation between performance in an agency attribution task and functional interactions among brain regions as derived by network analysis of rs functional magnetic resonance imaging. The action‐effect delay was adaptively increased (range 90–1,620 ms) and behavioral measures correlated to indices of cognitive processes and appraised self‐concepts. They were then regressed on local metrics of rs brain functional connectivity as to isolate the core areas enabling self‐agency. Across subjects, the time window for self‐agency was 90–625 ms, while the action‐effect integration was impacted by self‐evaluated personality traits. Neurally, the brain intrinsic organization sustaining consistency in self‐agency attribution was characterized by high connectiveness in the secondary visual cortex, and regional segregation in the primary somatosensory area. Decreased connectiveness in the secondary visual area, regional segregation in the superior parietal lobule, and information control within a primary visual cortex‐frontal eye fields network sustained self‐agency over long‐delayed effects. We thus demonstrate that self‐agency is grounded on the intrinsic mode of brain function designed to organize information for visuomotor integration. Our observation is relevant for current models of psychopathology in clinical conditions in which both rs activity and sense of agency are altered.

Neuromodulation of the right temporoparietal junction alters amygdala functional connectivity to authority pressure

“…This null result of anodal tDCS might be ascribed to the electrode layout in which the positioning of both stimulant electrode (rTPJ) and return electrode (lOFC) are important for simultaneously upregulating (anodal current) one area and downregulating (cathodal current) the other area. While both the rTPJ and OFC are involved in theory of mind and sense of agency (Piras et al, 2020 ; Sabbagh, 2004 ), inhibition of the lOFC might counteract the exhilarating effect of the rTPJ on RTs. However, inhibiting the rTPJ by cathodal tDCS resulted in shortened RTs to follow harming orders.…”

The Seven Selves of Dementia

“…Considering the various aspects of the embodied self, studies suggested that its neural correlates involve posterior brain regions, particularly the temporoparietal junction and the extrastriate body area (15,16). In a recent resting-state functional connectivity study, Piras et al (17) suggest that the activity of the brain at rest is influencing individual selfattribution by linking somatosensory representations to visual and proprioceptive information (17). Moreover, the embodied self is described to be essential in the foundation of other kinds of selves, which rely on higher levels of brain function (5,18).…”

“…In addition, new insights from neuroimaging studies highlighted the role of resting-state activity in regions responsible for preparing information for visuo-motor integration. Specifically, it has been suggested that the activity of the brain at rest in action-related perceptual and motor circuits needs to interact in order to create a feeling of control over events (17).…”

“…In this sense, the emergent self can be understood as a set of unified experiences, which produce higher-order self properties, including holistic phenomenological experiences [see (17) for an example of how intrinsic brain activity may lead to selfagency]. In summary, the "self " may be based on different neural, cognitive, and social processes; but instead of being perceived in a fragmentary manner, it is experienced as a unitary phenomenon.…”