Abstract

We follow the other's gaze to objects of interest to the other and share attention to the object, a key step toward a theory of (the other's) mind. Monkeys also follow gaze and establish joint attention. Although monkeys depend more on head gaze (i.e., the orientation of the other's face) than humans, monkey gaze following exhibits many parallels to human gaze following, rendering monkeys the perfect model for studies of its neural underpinnings. Here we report the identification of a gaze following hub in the monkey superior temporal characterized by neurons that link information on the other's gaze with distinct targets. Importantly, this link is modifiable by contextual information, allowing the executive control of gaze following.