The encoding of social networks in the brain

Introduction

In social species, peers represent a major part of the external environment, and adaptation to the environment requires adaptation to peers. One striking example is that not only other species can be deadly predators, but members from our own society can pose a deadly threat to us.

Importance of Social Relationships

On the other hand, not only family members can be our allies, but also friends we choose from non-kin related group members. This matter of fact exemplifies the importance of tracking others and their relations, and possessing a structured knowledge about our societies.

Observational Behavior in Primates

Primates, including humans and monkeys, spend most of their time watching others. While several neural circuits for social perception have been unraveled in their brains, we don't know how neural circuits further transform social percepts into a meaningful set of social concepts used spontaneously to represent social networks.

Research Approach

This question calls for an investigation at multiple levels:

1. Whole Brain Level: An exploratory approach using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in monkeys and humans will enable us to chart the brain territories involved in processing social concepts of increasing levels of abstraction. Concepts about individuals are less abstract than concepts about relationships, which are in turn less abstract than concepts about social networks topology.

2. Neuronal Level: A nailed down approach to the level of neurons, using fMRI-guided neurophysiology, will enable us to understand the neuronal network mechanisms by which the transformation from multi-sensory social percepts to social concepts is implemented.

3. Real-World Application: Finally, exploiting real-world social knowledge of semi-free ranging monkeys will enable us to track the encoding of social network topology by neuronal networks.

Conclusion

Understanding how neural circuits and single neurons within these circuits are encoding social networks will provide fundamental mechanistic insights into the toolkit for smoothly maneuvering our primate societies.