Causal evidence for the processing of bodily self in the anterior precuneus.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case series of neurosurgical patients undergoing direct intracranial electrical stimulation and recording
PubMed 37295420 · doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.013
What was done
Researchers evaluated nine patients with electrodes implanted bilaterally in the precuneus, posterior cingulate, and retrosplenial regions. The authors used a combination of neuroimaging, intracranial recordings, and direct cortical stimulation, including single-pulse electrical stimulations, to assess functional and effective connectivity.
What was found
In all nine participants, electrical stimulation of specific sites within the anterior precuneus caused dissociative changes in physical and spatial domains. Connectivity mapping showed this anterior precuneus hot zone is located outside the boundaries of the default mode network but is reciprocally connected with it. The abstract reports no numerical metrics.
Why it matters
This study provides direct causal evidence that the human anterior precuneus plays a central role in processing the physical point of reference and spatial sense of self.
Limits
The study is limited to a small sample size of nine patients undergoing invasive intracranial monitoring. Quantitative effect sizes, statistical values, and specific participant characteristics are not provided in the abstract.