Station: Communication (Computational Neuroscience)

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Conventions

• Perspective: Neural circuits & Bayesian brain
• Topics: Mirror neurons, social brain network, mentalizing network, oxytocin and social precision, neural synchrony in communication
• Lab Style: Simulation Lab
• Audience: College 1st semester undergraduates
• Tone: Rigorous but accessible

Content Guidelines

This module maps social cognition and communication onto neural substrates. Content should:

1. Introduce the social brain network: The temporoparietal junction (TPJ), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), superior temporal sulcus (STS), and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) form a network that supports Theory of Mind and social inference.
2. Define key terms precisely:
   • Mirror neuron system: Neurons that fire both when performing and observing an action, supporting action understanding and imitation
   • Mentalizing network: Brain regions (TPJ, mPFC) that support attributing mental states to others
   • Neural synchrony: The alignment of brain oscillations between interacting individuals, reflecting coupled inference
   • Oxytocin: A neuropeptide that modulates social precision, increasing the weight given to social signals
3. Present hyperscanning evidence: Studies where two brains are recorded simultaneously during communication show interbrain synchrony, providing neural evidence for coupled Active Inference.
4. Connect social neuromodulation to precision: Oxytocin increases social precision; social anxiety may involve aberrant social precision weighting.

Active Inference Integration

• Theory of Mind is hierarchical inference about another agent's generative model, implemented in the mentalizing network
• Neural synchrony between communicating brains reflects the alignment of their respective generative models
• Mirror neurons implement a basic form of action prediction -- modeling another agent's motor intentions

Assessment Alignment

Questions should test the ability to:

• Identify the brain regions involved in Theory of Mind and their Active Inference functions
• Explain neural synchrony between communicating individuals as coupled inference
• Describe how oxytocin modulates social precision and what happens when this modulation fails

Ensure all content adheres to ../../resources/notation_table.md.