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Mind and Intelligence Research Core

Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development

Atsushi IRIKI, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Atsushi IRIKI, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Laboratory Head
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Laboratory websiteLaboratory website
PublicationMain Publications at RIKEN

Research Areas

We try to uncover evolutionary precursors of human higher cognitive functions grounded onto physical morphologies and patterns of structured bodily actions, based on behavioral and neurophysiological analyses on chronic macaque monkeys, which were trained to use tools and other high-tech apparatus. By sharing above machineries among individuals, we extrapolate these mechanisms to constitute bases of communicatory functions, and eventually understand neural mechanism to form intellectual civilization environment. Further, we are aiming at extending these mechanisms onto evolutionary as well as developmental clues of symbolic cognitive functions to subserve inference, metaphysical thoughts, etc. that characterise human intelligence.



Research Subjects

  1. Dynamic modulation of body-image during self objectification by view point conversion
  2. Interactions among multiple subjectives as bases of intellectual environment
  3. Rodent model to reveal neurobiological mechanisms of intellectual evolution
  4. Cortical information processing of human-specific cognitive bias

Selected Publications

  1. Yamazaki, Y., Namba, H., and Iriki, A.:
    "Acquisition of an externalized eye by Japanese monkeys."
    Exp Brain Res. Jan 13. [Epub ahead of print] (2009)
  2. Iriki, A. and Sakura, O.:
    "Neuroscience of primate intellectual evolution: natural selection and passive and intentional niche construction."
    Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 363: 2229-2241. (2008).
  3. Okanoya, K., Tokimoto, N., Kumazawa, N., Hihara, S., and Iriki, A.:
    "Tool-use training in a species of rodent: the emergence of an optimal motor strategy and functional understanding."
    PLoS ONE. 3:e1860. (2008).
  4. Corradi-Dell'acqua, C., Ueno, K., Ogawa, A., Cheng, K., Rumiati, RI., and Iriki, A.:
    "Effects of shifting perspective of the self: an fMRI study."
    Neuroimage. 40:1902-1911. (2008).
  5. Fujii, N., Hihara, S., and Iriki, A.:
    "Dynamic social adaptation of motion-related neurons in primate parietal cortex."
    PLoS ONE, 2: e397. (2007).
  6. Iriki, A.:
    "The neural origins and implications of imitation, mirror neurons and tool use."
    Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 16: 660-667 (2006).
  7. Hihara, S., Notoya, T., Tanaka, M., Ichinose, S., Ojima, H., Obayashi, S., Fujii, N., and Iriki A.:
    "Extension of corticocortical afferents into the anterior bank of the intraparietal sulcus by tool-use training in adult monkeys."
    Neuropsychologia. 44: 2636-2646. (2006).
  8. Farne, A., Iriki, A., and Ladavas, E.:
    "Shaping multisensory action-space with tools: evidence from patients with cross-modal extinction."
    Neuropsychologia, 43: 238-248. (2005).
  9. Maravita, A. and Iriki, A.:
    "Tools for the body (schema)."
    Tr. Cogn. Sci., 18: 79-86 (2004).

Main Publications at RIKEN


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