Abstract
The predisposition of human beings toward spiritual feeling, thinking, and behaviors is measured by a supposedly stable personality trait called self-transcendence. Although a few neuroimaging studies suggest that neural activation of a large fronto-parieto-temporal network may underpin a variety of spiritual experiences, information on the causative link between such a network and spirituality is lacking. Combining pre- and post-neurosurgery personality assessment with advanced brain-lesion mapping techniques, we found that selective damage to left and right inferior posterior parietal regions induced a specific increase of self-transcendence. Therefore, modifications of neural activity in temporoparietal areas may induce unusually fast modulations of a stable personality trait related to transcendental self-referential awareness. These results hint at the active, crucial role of left and right parietal systems in determining self-transcendence and cast new light on the neurobiological bases of altered spiritual and religious attitudes and behaviors in neurological and mental disorders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 309-319 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Neuron |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 11 2010 |
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Keywords
- SYSNEURO
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
Cite this
The Spiritual Brain : Selective Cortical Lesions Modulate Human Self-Transcendence. / Urgesi, Cosimo; Aglioti, Salvatore M.; Skrap, Miran; Fabbro, Franco.
In: Neuron, Vol. 65, No. 3, 11.02.2010, p. 309-319.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Spiritual Brain
T2 - Selective Cortical Lesions Modulate Human Self-Transcendence
AU - Urgesi, Cosimo
AU - Aglioti, Salvatore M.
AU - Skrap, Miran
AU - Fabbro, Franco
PY - 2010/2/11
Y1 - 2010/2/11
N2 - The predisposition of human beings toward spiritual feeling, thinking, and behaviors is measured by a supposedly stable personality trait called self-transcendence. Although a few neuroimaging studies suggest that neural activation of a large fronto-parieto-temporal network may underpin a variety of spiritual experiences, information on the causative link between such a network and spirituality is lacking. Combining pre- and post-neurosurgery personality assessment with advanced brain-lesion mapping techniques, we found that selective damage to left and right inferior posterior parietal regions induced a specific increase of self-transcendence. Therefore, modifications of neural activity in temporoparietal areas may induce unusually fast modulations of a stable personality trait related to transcendental self-referential awareness. These results hint at the active, crucial role of left and right parietal systems in determining self-transcendence and cast new light on the neurobiological bases of altered spiritual and religious attitudes and behaviors in neurological and mental disorders.
AB - The predisposition of human beings toward spiritual feeling, thinking, and behaviors is measured by a supposedly stable personality trait called self-transcendence. Although a few neuroimaging studies suggest that neural activation of a large fronto-parieto-temporal network may underpin a variety of spiritual experiences, information on the causative link between such a network and spirituality is lacking. Combining pre- and post-neurosurgery personality assessment with advanced brain-lesion mapping techniques, we found that selective damage to left and right inferior posterior parietal regions induced a specific increase of self-transcendence. Therefore, modifications of neural activity in temporoparietal areas may induce unusually fast modulations of a stable personality trait related to transcendental self-referential awareness. These results hint at the active, crucial role of left and right parietal systems in determining self-transcendence and cast new light on the neurobiological bases of altered spiritual and religious attitudes and behaviors in neurological and mental disorders.
KW - SYSNEURO
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=76149103965&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=76149103965&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.01.026
DO - 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.01.026
M3 - Article
C2 - 20159445
AN - SCOPUS:76149103965
VL - 65
SP - 309
EP - 319
JO - Neuron
JF - Neuron
SN - 0896-6273
IS - 3
ER -