Neural Correlates of Self-Referential Belief Processes

Abstract Background Belief processing as well as self-referential processing have both been consistently associated with cortical midline structures. In addition, seminal neuroimaging papers have implicated cortical regions such as the vmPFC in general belief processing. However, the neural correlates of self-referential belief are yet to be investigated in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods In this fMRI study, we presented 120 statements with trait adjectives as target words to N=27 young healthy participants and asked them to judge whether they believed that these trait adjectives applied to themselves, a self-chosen close person, or a public person (the German chancellor at that time). Participants subsequently rated how certain (0-100%) they were in their judgment. Results As expected, self-referential processing evoked a large cluster in the vmPFC, ACC and dmPFC. For belief, we found an activated cluster in the vmPFC during statement presentation, which partly overlapped with the cluster for self-referential processing. The cluster for self-belief vs. disbelief was similar in location and size to the cluster for general belief processing and distinct from the cluster for self-referential processing. We also found dmPFC activation for uncertainty in belief evaluations. Discussion We successfully replicated vmPFC involvement in belief processing and found a common neural correlate for belief and self-belief in the vmPFC. The activation clusters for self-belief versus self-referential processing were distinct, implying distinct neural processes. This insight will prove relevant for investigations in clinical populations with aberrant (self-)belief processing. Furthermore, we replicated the role of the dmPFC in uncertainty, supporting a dual neural process model of belief and certainty.