Exploring the neural correlates of self-related names in healthy subjects

This study aimed to clarify the neural correlates and underlying mechanisms of the subject's own name (SON) and the unique name derived from the SON (SDN). A name that was most familiar to the subject (SFN) was added as a self-related reference. We used 4 auditory stimuli-pure tone (1000 Hz), SON, SDN, and SFN-to evaluate the corresponding activated brain areas in 19 healthy subjects by using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our results demonstrated that pure tone activated the fewest brain regions. Although SFN was a very strong self-related stimulus, it failed to activate many midline structures. The brain regions activated by SON and SDN were very similar. SFN as a self-related stimulus was less self-related compared with SDN. What's more, the additionally activated fusiform gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus of SDN might revealed its processing path. SDN, which has created by us, is a new and self-related stimulus similar to SON. They might provide a useful reference for consciousness assessment with SON and SDN.