Top-down modulation of visual action perception: distinct task effects in the action observation network.

ABSTRACT: Perceiving others' actions is essential for survival and social interaction. Cognitive neuroscience research has identified a network of brain regions crucial to visual action perception, known as the Action Observation Network (AON), comprising the posterior superior temporal cortex (pSTS), posterior parietal cortex, and premotor cortex. Recent research highlights the importance of integrating top-down processes, such as attention, to gain a deeper understanding of action perception. This study investigates how attention modulates the AON during human action perception. We conducted a two-session fMRI experiment with 27 participants. They viewed eight videos of pushing actions, varying in actor (female vs. male), effector (hand vs. foot), and target (human vs. object). In the first sessio

SUBMITTER: Eroglu A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12602651 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature