Mediating Role of Middle Temporal Gyrus Between Reading Ability and Theory of Mind
Poster No:
798
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Mengfei Wu1
Institutions:
1Beijing Normal University, Beijing, Beijing
First Author:
Introduction:
Theory of mind (ToM) is often observed growing with another important ability – reading (Atkinson et al., 2017). Extensive research indicates that reading experience positively correlates with the theory of mind and may even suggest causality (Kidd & Castano, 2013). However, research on their shared neural basis remains limited, with most studies focusing on regions of co-activation during tasks (Mar, 2011). As there is substantial research on gray matter volume (GMV) associations with each ability individually, in this study, we extend this investigation by multi-regression of the whole-brain GMV with both abilities to identify regions explaining the common neural basis. Additionally, previous research highlights that ToM and reading networks are widely distributed in classic brain networks, our second goal is to explore whether the shared gray matter regions also contribute to network overlaps between reading and theory of mind in rest-state functional connectivity. Furthermore, based on the significant mediating effects previously observed in activation studies linking reading to ToM (Tamir et al., 2016), we expect to find similar mediating roles for the regions we identified.
Methods:
We recruited 217 college students to investigate the relationship between reading difficulty and ToM using the Reading History Questionnaire and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task. Structural MRI and resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data were collected on a Siemens 3T scanner. Participants kept their eyes closed, relaxed, and awake during scanning. VBM analysis with SPM8 and DARTEL assessed GMV, with multiple regressions linking GMV to reading difficulty and RMET scores (GRF correction: voxel-level and cluster-level p < 0.05). Conjunction analysis identified overlapping brain regions, and GMV densities in these regions were tested as mediators between reading ability and ToM. Functional connectivity, Fisher Z-transformed, was calculated using DPABI with the VBM overlap regions serving as seeds. Regression analyses were performed to identify seed-to-voxel whole-brain functional connectivity patterns significantly associated with both abilities. Mediation analyses were also conducted on functional findings.
Results:
Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between reading difficulty and RMET scores (r = -0.218, p = 0.001). VBM results identified overlapping regions in the right temporal pole (112 voxels), right parahippocampal gyrus (108 voxels), and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG, 231 voxels). Mediation analysis showed that only the MTG partially mediated the relationship (c = -0.218, p = 0.001; c' = -0.200, p = 0.003; BootLLCI = -0.0543, BootULCI = -0.0008).
Using MTG as a seed, RSFC analysis revealed overlapping regions in the right precuneus (384 voxels) and left middle cingulate gyrus (210 voxels). Both ROIs partially mediated the relationship (Precuneus: c = -0.218, p = 0.001; c' = -0.179, p = 0.008; BootLLCI = -0.0833, BootULCI = -0.0069; Middle cingulate: c = -0.218, p = 0.001; c' = -0.175, p = 0.011; BootLLCI = -0.0988, BootULCI = -0.0032). These findings highlight key structural and functional pathways linking reading difficulty to ToM.
Using MTG as a seed, RSFC analysis revealed overlapping regions in the right precuneus (384 voxels) and left middle cingulate gyrus (210 voxels). Both ROIs partially mediated the relationship (Precuneus: c = -0.218, p = 0.001; c' = -0.179, p = 0.008; BootLLCI = -0.0833, BootULCI = -0.0069; Middle cingulate: c = -0.218, p = 0.001; c' = -0.175, p = 0.011; BootLLCI = -0.0988, BootULCI = -0.0032). These findings highlight key structural and functional pathways linking reading difficulty to ToM.
·Results of VBM correlation with reading difficulty and RMET and Mediation analysis of the conjunction gyrus
·Mediation analysis of the two rs-fucntional connectivity conjunction regions
Conclusions:
This research provides evidence of shared structural and functional neural correlates underlying reading ability and theory of mind, with the MTG playing a significant mediating role. The conjunction of VBM and RSFC analyses indicates that higher GMV in the MTG and its connectivity to the bilateral precuneus and cingulate regions support reading comprehension and ToM. This suggests that reading and ToM rely on overlapping neural mechanisms, particularly those associated with narrative comprehension for the simulation of social situations and executive control. This research advances our understanding of the neural basis linking language and social cognition, shedding light on their interconnected pathways.
Emotion, Motivation and Social Neuroscience:
Social Cognition 2
Social Neuroscience Other
Language:
Language Comprehension and Semantics 1
Reading and Writing
Modeling and Analysis Methods:
Task-Independent and Resting-State Analysis
Keywords:
ADULTS
Cognition
FUNCTIONAL MRI
Language
MRI
STRUCTURAL MRI
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
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Provide references using APA citation style.
Kidd, D. C., & Castano, E. (2013). Reading Literary Fiction Improves Theory of Mind. Science, 342(6156), 377–380.
Mar, R. A. (2011). The Neural Bases of Social Cognition and Story Comprehension. Annual Review of Psychology, 62(Volume 62, 2011), 103–134.
Tamir, D. I., Bricker, A. B., Dodell-Feder, D., & Mitchell, J. P. (2016). Reading fiction and reading minds: The role of simulation in the default network. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(2), 215–224.