[tt] Science Daily: Brain Imaging Shows Similarities & Differences In Thoughts Of Chimps And Humans

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Brain Imaging Shows Similarities & Differences In Thoughts Of Chimps And 
Humans
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071014173548.htm

ScienceDaily (Oct. 16, 2007) -- In the first study of its kind,
researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory
University, used functional brain imaging to assess resting-state
brain activity in chimpanzees as a potential window into their
mental world and to compare chimpanzee brain activity to that of
humans.

The researchers' findings suggest chimpanzees may engage in thought
processes similar to those of humans at rest as well as thought
processes that are quite different. The findings are significant
because they show the uniqueness of humans as well as our
similarity to our closest living primate relative.

According to lead researcher Jim Rilling, PhD, "Examples of
resting-state thoughts are when your mind wanders to past social
interactions, to potential future social interactions and to
problems you need to solve."

Working with his research team and using positron emission
tomography (PET), Rilling studied eight humans and five
chimpanzees. Results showed significant overlap in brain activity
patterns such as high levels of activity in the medial prefrontal
and medial parietal cortex, brain regions associated with
reflecting on mental states of self and others. Results also showed
differences with humans, including activity in regions associated
with language and the analysis of meaning; these were found in
humans but not chimpanzees.

The research team included Yerkes, Emory College and/or Center for
Behavioral Neuroscience colleagues Sarah Barks, Todd Preuss, PhD,
and Lisa Parr, PhD.

"Widespread activity in language regions of the human brain suggest
humans think with words, though, of course, chimpanzees do not,"
says Rilling.

In choosing to image resting-state brain activity, the researchers
reasoned if the pattern of brain activity in chimpanzees at rest is
similar to humans, there is likely to be some similarity in
cognition; conversely, they thought, if there are differences in
brain activity during rest, it would imply differences in
resting-state cognition.

"This study bears on important issues in comparative psychology,
specifically whether chimpanzees understand other beings have
minds. This study doesn't resolve the issue, but it does suggest
humans and chimpanzees share brain systems involved in thinking
about one's own behavior and that of others," Dr. Preuss adds.

Researchers plan to further study chimpanzee brain activity by
imaging the animals while they are engaged in tasks that
specifically drive mental processes the researchers hypothesize to
be ongoing at rest.

Results appear in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences.

Adapted from materials provided by Emory University.