<P> Neuropsychological evidence has provided support for neuroimaging results regarding the neural basis of theory of mind . Studies with patients suffering from a lesion of the frontal lobes and the temporoparietal junction of the brain (between the temporal lobe and parietal lobe) reported that they have difficulty with some theory of mind tasks . This shows that theory of mind abilities are associated with specific parts of the human brain . However, the fact that the medial prefrontal cortex and temporoparietal junction are necessary for theory of mind tasks does not imply that these regions are specific to that function . TPJ and mPFC may subserve more general functions necessary for Theory of Mind . </P> <P> Research by Vittorio Gallese, Luciano Fadiga and Giacomo Rizzolatti (reviewed in) has shown that some sensorimotor neurons, which are referred to as mirror neurons, first discovered in the premotor cortex of rhesus monkeys, may be involved in action understanding . Single - electrode recording revealed that these neurons fired when a monkey performed an action, as well as when the monkey viewed another agent carrying out the same task . Similarly, fMRI studies with human participants have shown brain regions (assumed to contain mirror neurons) that are active when one person sees another person's goal - directed action . These data have led some authors to suggest that mirror neurons may provide the basis for theory of mind in the brain, and to support simulation theory of mind reading (see above). </P> <P> However, there is also evidence against the link between mirror neurons and theory of mind . First, macaque monkeys have mirror neurons but do not seem to have a' human - like' capacity to understand theory of mind and belief . Second, fMRI studies of theory of mind typically report activation in the mPFC, temporal poles and TPJ or STS, but these brain areas are not part of the mirror neuron system . Some investigators, like developmental psychologist Andrew Meltzoff and neuroscientist Jean Decety, believe that mirror neurons merely facilitate learning through imitation and may provide a precursor to the development of Theory of Mind . Others, like philosopher Shaun Gallagher, suggest that mirror - neuron activation, on a number of counts, fails to meet the definition of simulation as proposed by the simulation theory of mindreading . </P> <P> However, in a recent paper, Keren Haroush and Ziv Williams outlined the case for a group of neurons in primates' brains that uniquely predicted the choice selection of their interacting partner . These primates' neurons, located in the anterior cingulate cortex of rhesus monkeys, were observed using single - unit recording while the monkeys played a variant of the iterative prisoner's dilemma game . By identifying cells that represent the yet unknown intentions of a game partner, Haroush & Williams' study supports the idea that theory of mind may be a fundamental and generalized process, and suggests that anterior cingulate cortex neurons may potentially act to complement the function of mirror neurons during social interchange . </P>

The mind has little influence on our emotional states.​ true false