Action representation in the superior temporal sulcus in children and adults: An fMRI study

ABSTRACTThe superior temporal sulcus (STS) plays an important role in the perception of biological motion and in the representation of higher order information about other's goals and intentions. Using a rapid event related functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm (fMRI), children (n = 37, mean age 11.0) and adults (n = 17, mean age 25.3) viewed congruent or incongruent actions. Congruency (and incongruency) of a reach toward an object was a function of whether the object had just previously received positive or negative regard. Relative to congruent trials, both children and adults showed an increase in activation in the posterior STS bilaterally, in response to incongruent trials. In children, these STS regions exhibited developmental changes. Specifically, the differential response to incongruent trials relative to congruent trials was larger in older children in both hemispheres.

▸ Increased activation in STS in children and adults to incongruent reaches. ▸ STS regions exhibited developmental changes. ▸ Incongruency effect larger in older children in both hemispheres. ▸ Overall response in left hemisphere lower in younger children.