Affiliations: I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy | Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Palermo,
Palermo, Italy | Clinica Neurologica, Università di Roma "Tor
Vergata", Rome, Italy
Note: [] Corresponding author: Alberto Costa, Laboratorio di Neurologia
Clinica e Comportamentale, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. S. Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306,
00179- Roma, Italy. Tel.: +39 0651501574; Fax: +39 0651501584
Abstract: Introduction: Understanding the mental states of others entails a
number of cognitive processes known as Theory of Mind (ToM). Behavioural and
functional neuroimaging evidence suggests that prefrontal and temporo-parietal
cortices are involved in these abilities. The present study was aimed at
investigating the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and
temporo-parietal junction in ToM by using a repetitive transcranial magnetic
stimulation (rTMS) paradigm. Material and methods: Eleven healthy
subjects participated in the study. The experimental ToM procedure was
constituted by false belief and faux-pas written stories. Subjects were
evaluated in baseline condition (Sham) and after 1Hz rTMS over the left/right
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporo-parietal junction. A score for
accuracy and response times were recorded. Results: As regards false
beliefs, rTMS over right prefrontal and temporo-parietal areas significantly
interfered with response times (p<0.05$). The application of rTMS over
right/left prefrontal and right temporo-parietal cortices also significantly
worsened accuracy in the ability to take the others' perspective in faux-pas
tasks as compared to Sham (p ⩽ 0.05 in all cases). Conclusions: The
results of the present study are consistent with previous findings supporting
the hypothesis that prefrontal and temporo-parietal regions are part of a
neural network specifically underpinning the ability to attribute mental states
to others.
Keywords: Theory of mind, mentalizing, transcranial magnetic stimulation
