A cognitive ontological dataset for neuroimaging studies of self-referential processing

Self-referential processing refers to the cognitive processes underlying perceiving, memorizing, or making decisions on information that is related to oneself. It is widely studied in cognitive neuroscience to understand the neural basis of the self-concept of human beings. Constructed in strict adherence to the PRISMA reporting standards (see, Page et al., 2021, BMJ), this dataset was systematically curated by reviewing and selecting relevant literature from PubMed and Web of Science databases that focused on neuroimaging studies involving self-referential processing. Data were extracted and standardized by an inter-rater reliability analysis to ensure the accuracy and dependability of the data. In comparison to automated meta-analytical platforms such as Neurosynth, the current dataset provides higher accuracy in article selection and details of the operationalizations of the self-reference effect. This dataset provides insights into the importance of operationalization of the “self-reference effect” and all concepts, in general, in cognitive neuroscience. For a deeper understanding of the dataset's structure, its historical versions, and other specifics, please consult our README.md file. The dataset has evolved from the 1st and 2nd versions, which included 66 neuroimaging studies of healthy human participants, to now encompassing a collection that includes subjects diagnosed with various mental disorders. It has also broadened to cover a wider age range, including children, adolescents, and the elderly (in the 3rd version). Future versions will incorporate studies examining other types of self-related stimuli, such as self-face recognition and autobiographical memory.