Abstract: To explore the neural basis of the self mainly relies on the researches of self-reference process. It refers to the cooperation of various regions of cortical midline structures (CMS), or even the whole brain. In self-reference process, medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and its sub regions play important role: ventral-MPFC activates stronger when self in default mode, self awareness and on-line self are activated; however, dorsal-MPFC involves more when conscious self, self evolution and agentic self are activated. In self-other representation, activities of MPFC and its sub regions are modulated by the affective, cognitive and cultural factors. It’s the future directions to put self in the dynamic temporal or interpersonal background to explore its neural mechanism.

Key words: medial prefrontal cortex, cortical midline structures, self, self-reference process