Characterizing an ERP correlate of intentions understanding using a sequential comic strips paradigm.

Chronometric properties of theory of mind and intentions understanding more specifically are well documented. Notably, it was demonstrated using magnetoencephalography that the brain regions involved were recruited as soon as 200 ms post-stimulus. We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to characterize an electrophysiological marker of attribution of intentions. We also explored the robustness of this ERP signature under two conditions corresponding to either explicit instructions to focus on others' intentions or implicit instructions with no reference to mental states. Two matched groups of 16 healthy volunteers each received either explicit or no instructions about intentions and performed a nonverbal attribution of intentions task based on sequential four-image comic strips depicting either intentional or physical causality. A bilateral posterior positive component, ranging from 250 to 650 ms post-stimulus, showed greater amplitude in intentional than in physical condition (the intention ERP effect). This effect occurs during the third image only, suggesting that it reflects the integration of information depicted in the third image to the contextual cues given by the first two. The intention effect was similar in the two groups of subjects. Overall, our results identify a clear ERP marker of the first hundreds of milliseconds of intentions processing probably related to a contextual integrative mechanism and suggest its robustness by showing its blindness to task demands manipulation.

[The contribution of neuroscience research to the study of empathy]. / L'apport de la recherche en neurosciences à l'étude de l'empathie.

The study of the cerebral mechanisms underlying empathy lies currently at the heart of neuroscience research. This process which can be defined as "the ability to put oneself into other's shoes in order to feel his emotions and feelings", constitutes a basic skill in any interpersonal relationship, particularly in the caregiver-patient relationship. In addition, the study of empathy impairements offers new ways to approach diverse mental disorders such as autism or psychopathy. However, it is essential to identify how the brain processes empathy in healthy subjects before studying its impairements. The purpose of this paper will then be to synthesize what the neuroscience research already identified thanks to the numerous works in neurophysiology, neuroimaging and lesion studies. We will also mention some limitations of this field of research and end the paper with its future perspectives.