Imaging Spatial and Social Brain Networks in Primates with a “CIM2” approach (Comparative, Immersive, Multimodal and Multicentric) – CIM2

We are witnessing a paradigmatic shift in Integrative Neuroscience, from a “region-based” to a “network-based” conception of cognitive brain functions. It is accompanied by a multiplication of imaging studies embracing multimodal network-oriented strategies. While the present project is clearly within the same vein, by combining fMRI, resting state fMRI and DTI it nevertheless differs from previous studies in truly innovative aspects: (1) immersive naturalistic stimulation for dual cognitive targeting, (2) comparative approach for an evolutionary perspective and (3) multicentric implementation for robust and generalizable findings.

The development of fMRI, resting fMRI and DTI sequences in monkeys has enabled us to complete a first study published in Cerebral Cortex. This study describes the functional and structural connectivity of a cingulate area, CSv, involved in locomotion control. The cortical network highlighted is very similar to the one highlighted with the same approach in humans, showing a very similar functional organization between these two primate species.

We develop new approaches for the analysis of spatial and social content of natural videos. They will allow us to select the necessary material to launch the simultaneous mapping of areas involved in spatial and social cognition by fMRI.

DeCastro V, Smith AT, Beer AL, Leguen C, Vayssière N, Héjja-Brichard Y, Audurier P, Cottereau BR, Durand JB (2020). Connectivity of the cingulate sulcus visual area (CSv) in macaque monkeys. Cerebral Cortex (in press).

DeCastro V, Leguen C, Héjja-Brichard Y, Audurier P, Cottereau BR, Durand JB (2019). Connectivity of the cingulate sulcus visual area (CSv) in macaque monkeys. Program No. 404.07. 2019 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Chicago, IL: Society for Neuroscience, 2019. Online.

Primates are endowed with sophisticated spatial and social cognitions, respectively coping with the physical and social dimensions of the environment. Both cognitive functions have been alternatively invoked for explaining the massive brain enlargement observed in the primates’ lineage. They are thought to culminate in humans: their interplay might be at origin of specifically-human productions, such as tools making, languages and cultures, and their impairments lead to massive deficits such as spatial neglect and ataxia for spatial cognition, or schizophrenia and autism for social cognition. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the brain machinery supporting spatial and social cognitions in humans, and how that machinery relates to that of non-human primates. In the present project, we propose to use magnetic resonance imaging for characterizing the brain networks supporting spatial and social cognitions in both humans and non-human primates. Our objective is threefold, as we aim to understand: (1) the structural and functional properties of these networks, (2) their reciprocal relationships and (3) their specificities in humans compared to non-human primates.
In our view, these important questions can now be addressed directly and comprehensively, thanks to recent theoretical and technological breakthroughs operated by Integrative Neurosciences. We propose to bring these breakthroughs together in an innovative “CIM2” approach, whose name stands for the fact that our approach is:
• Comparative: both humans and macaque monkeys will undergo the same imaging protocols with similar high-field (3 Tesla) scanners, allowing direct interspecies comparison;
• Immersive: naturalistic and immersive 3D audio-visual materials will be used, for mapping concomitantly the spatial and social brain networks within the same individuals;
• Multimodal: several structural (T1, myelin, DTI) and functional (resting-state and task-based fMRI) imaging protocols will be combined, for characterizing the spatial and social brain networks structurally and functionally;
• Multicentric: three national research centers will implement the very same experimental approach for scanning larger cohorts of humans and monkeys, opening a currently missing avenue for robust interspecies comparisons.
The three national partners are the CerCo in Toulouse (UMR 5549), the ISCMJ in Lyon (UMR 5229) and the INT in Marseille (UMR 7289), which are all well-known for their complementary expertise in spatial and social cognitions. They all possess imaging platforms equipped with 3 Tesla scanners dedicated to research in both human and non-human primates. Through this collaboration, they will notably co-fertilize their skills and experience about magnetic resonance imaging in non-human primates, strengthening the national implantation of these approaches and structuring the first multicentric study in the field.
With this project, we expect (1) gaining a better understanding of how the brain implements spatial and social cognitions and (2) providing a proof of concept for the usefulness of our “CIM2” approach for studying cognitive brain networks. Our findings should also feed many domains of applied sciences. For instance, an increasing number of clinical studies relate cognitive disorders to perturbations within and between large-scale brain networks. Being able to relate spatial and social disorders to such perturbations implies getting first an exhaustive view of the underlying brain networks in the healthy brain. In the domain of artificial intelligence, the development of social agent technology might also find inspiration in how the brain cope with both the physical and social dimensions of the environment.