Neural network of social interaction observation in marmosets

Authors

Justine C. Cléry, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Yuki Hori, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
David J. Schaeffer, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Ravi S. Menon, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Stefan Everling, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-31-2021

Journal

eLife

Volume

10

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.7554/eLife.65012

Abstract

A crucial component of social cognition is to observe and understand the social interactions of other individuals. A promising nonhuman primate model for investigating the neural basis of social interaction observation is the common marmoset (), a small New World primate that shares a rich social repertoire with humans. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging acquired at 9.4 T to map the brain areas activated by social interaction observation in awake marmosets. We discovered a network of subcortical and cortical areas, predominately in the anterior lateral frontal and medial frontal cortex, that was specifically activated by social interaction observation. This network resembled that recently identified in Old World macaque monkeys. Our findings suggest that this network is largely conserved between New and Old World primates and support the use of marmosets for studying the neural basis of social cognition.