Journal
CEREBRAL CORTEX
Volume 23, Issue 5, Pages 1014-1024Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhs097
Keywords
diffusion tensor imaging; evolution; imitation; mirror system; social learning
Categories
Funding
- National Institutes of Health [RR-00165, 5P01 AG026423-03, F31MH086179-01, RO1 MH068791, MH58922, HD055255, MH65046, R01 MH084068-01A1]
- James S. McDonnell Foundation [21002093]
- Wenner-Gren Foundation
- Emory University Research Committee
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience
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Social learning varies among primate species. Macaques only copy the product of observed actions, or emulate, while humans and chimpanzees also copy the process, or imitate. In humans, imitation is linked to the mirror system. Here we compare mirror system connectivity across these species using diffusion tensor imaging. In macaques and chimpanzees, the preponderance of this circuitry consists of frontal-temporal connections via the extreme/external capsules. In contrast, humans have more substantial temporal parietal and frontal-parietal connections via the middle/inferior longitudinal fasciculi and the third branch of the superior longitudinal fasciculus. In chimpanzees and humans, but not in macaques, this circuitry includes connections with inferior temporal cortex. In humans alone, connections with superior parietal cortex were also detected. We suggest a model linking species differences in mirror system connectivity and responsivity with species differences in behavior, including adaptations for imitation and social learning of tool use.
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