Specific Neural Mechanisms Underlying Humans' Processing of Information Related to Companion Animals: A Comparison with Domestic Animals and Objects.

ABSTRACT: Humans show neural specificity in processing animal-related information, especially regarding companion animals. However, the underlying cognitive mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study's main objective is to investigate human neural specificity in processing companion animal-related information, compared to other animal types and inanimate objects. Forty participants viewed four image types (companion animals, neutral animals, positive objects, neutral objects) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans and judged image categories. T-test results showed: 1. Processing companion animal-related information elicited specific brain activation in the right Inferior Parietal Lobe (right IPL), right Middle Occipital Gyrus (right MOG), left Superior Frontal Gyrus (left SFG

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12607319 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature