Abstract

Individuals can experience embarrassment when exposed to self-feedback images, depending on the extent of the divergence from the internal representation of the standard self. Our previous work implicated the anterior insular cortex (AI) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the processing of embarrassment; however, their exact functional contributions have remained uncertain. Here, we explored the effects of being observed by others while viewing self-face images on the extent of embarrassment, and the activation and connectivity patterns in the AI and ACC. We conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging hyperscanning in pairs of healthy participants using an interaction system that allowed an individual to be observed by a partner in real time. Being observed increased the extent of embarrassment reported when viewing self-face images; a corresponding increase in self-related activity in the right AI suggested that this region played a direct role in the subjective experience. Being observed also increased the functional connectivity between the caudal ACC and prefrontal regions, which are involved in processing the reflective self. The ACC might therefore serve as a hub, integrating information about the reflective self that is used in evaluating perceptual self-face images.

Details

Title
The anterior insular and anterior cingulate cortices in emotional processing for self-face recognition
Author
Morita, Tomoyo 1 ; Tanabe, Hiroki C 2 ; Sasaki, Akihiro T 1 ; Shimada, Koji 2 ; Kakigi, Ryusuke 1 ; Sadato, Norihiro 3 

 Department of Integrative Physiology, 2 Department of Cerebral Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, 3 Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan, 4 Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, and 5 Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui 910-1193, Japan 
 Department of Integrative Physiology, 2 Department of Cerebral Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, 3 Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan, 4 Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, and 5 Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Department of Integrative Physiology, 2 Department of Cerebral Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, 3 Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan, 4 Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, and 5 Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui 910-1193, Japan 
 Department of Integrative Physiology, 2 Department of Cerebral Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, 3 Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan, 4 Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, and 5 Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Department of Integrative Physiology, 2 Department of Cerebral Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, 3 Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan, 4 Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, and 5 Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Department of Integrative Physiology, 2 Department of Cerebral Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, 3 Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan, 4 Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), 38, Nishigo-Naka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, and 5 Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui 910-1193, Japan 
Pages
570-579
Publication year
2014
Publication date
May 2014
Publisher
Oxford University Press
ISSN
17495016
e-ISSN
17495024
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3171560405
Copyright
© The Author(s) (2013). Published by Oxford University Press. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.