Spatial localization of anterior precuneus for bodily self validated with brain stimulation

The posteromedial cortex (PMC), comprising the precuneus, the posterior cingulate, and the retrosplenial regions, is known to be engaged in various self-referential functions. Recent observations have also suggested a link between PMC dysfunction and self-dissociation. To test the causal relevance of specific PMC locations for self- referential processing, we recruited nine neurosurgical participants with bilaterally implanted PMC electrodes. We applied focal electrical stimulation within discrete PMC sites while probing changes in the participants’ subjective states. We found that, in all nine participants, the electrical perturbation of the anterior precuneus (aPCu), but not the other PMC sites, caused apparent dissociative changes in the physical and spatial bodily domain involving head, trunk, and legs. The responsive aPCu sites did not exhibit event-related activation during a cued autobiographical memory recall task. Furthermore, resting-state functional connectivity with func...,

Clinical electrical brain stimulation (EBS) is routinely performed as a clinical procedure in preparation for surgical resection. Data reported here come from the clinical procedure performed on each participant typically in one session of EBS. We found that, in all nine participants, the electrical perturbation of the anterior precuneus (aPCu), but not the other posteromedial sites, caused apparent dissociative changes in the physical and spatial bodily domain involving head, trunk, and legs. The presented ROIs were constructed by adding up the 4mm-radius spheres centered around the MNI coordinates of the hot/cold electrodes identified from our cohort.

,