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Par Nystrom - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Using mu rhythm desynchronization to measure Mirror Neuron activity in infants
Developmental science, 2011Co-Authors: Par Nystrom, Therese Ljunghammar, Kerstin Rosander, Claes Von HofstenAbstract:The Mirror Neuron System hypothesis stating that observed actions are projected onto the observer’s own action system assigns an important role to development, because only actions mastered by the observer can be Mirrored. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether there is evidence of a functioning Mirror Neuron system (MNS) in 8-month-old infants. High-density EEG was used to assess the mu rhythm desynchronization in an action observation task where the infants observed a live model. To reduce noise, ICA decompositions were used. The results show a higher desynchronization of the mu rhythm when infants observed a goal-directed action than when they observed a spatially similar non-goal-directed movement. The localizations of the sources are in agreement with those proposed by the MNS hypothesis. This indicates that the MNS is functioning at this age.
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the infant Mirror Neuron system studied with high density eeg
Social Neuroscience, 2008Co-Authors: Par NystromAbstract:Abstract The Mirror Neuron system has been suggested to play a role in many social capabilities such as action understanding, imitation, language and empathy. These are all capabilities that develop during infancy and childhood, but the human Mirror Neuron system has been poorly studied using neurophysiological measures. This study measured the brain activity of 6-month-old infants and adults using a high-density EEG net with the aim of identifying Mirror Neuron activity. The subjects viewed both goal-directed movements and non-goal-directed movements. An independent component analysis was used to extract the sources of cognitive processes. The desynchronization of the mu rhythm in adults has been shown to be a marker for activation of the Mirror Neuron system and was used as a criterion to categorize independent components between subjects. The results showed significant mu desynchronization in the adult group and significantly higher ERP activation in both adults and 6-month-olds for the goal-directed a...
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the infant Mirror Neuron system studied with high density eeg
Social Neuroscience, 2008Co-Authors: Par NystromAbstract:The Mirror Neuron system has been suggested to play a role in many social capabilities such as action understanding, imitation, language and empathy. These are all capabilities that develop during infancy and childhood, but the human Mirror Neuron system has been poorly studied using neurophysiological measures. This study measured the brain activity of 6-month-old infants and adults using a high-density EEG net with the aim of identifying Mirror Neuron activity. The subjects viewed both goal-directed movements and non-goal-directed movements. An independent component analysis was used to extract the sources of cognitive processes. The desynchronization of the mu rhythm in adults has been shown to be a marker for activation of the Mirror Neuron system and was used as a criterion to categorize independent components between subjects. The results showed significant mu desynchronization in the adult group and significantly higher ERP activation in both adults and 6-month-olds for the goal-directed action observation condition. This study demonstrate that infants as young as 6 months display Mirror Neuron activity and is the first to present a direct ERP measure of the Mirror Neuron system in infants.
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Using mu rhythm perturbations to measure Mirror Neuron activity in infants
2008Co-Authors: Par Nystrom, Therese Ljunghammar, Kerstin Rosander, Claes Von HofstenAbstract:The introduction of high density EEG (hd-EEG) nets for easy application on subjects of all ages has improved the possibilities to investigate the development of the infant neurophysiology. This dissertation consists of three studies (I – III) that investigate the visual motion system and Mirror Neuron system of the infant, and methodological sections that outline the bioelectrical background and the characteristics of the methods used. Study I covers the maturation of cortical areas involved in motion perception in adults and infants using an ERP paradigm. Over three age groups (2, 3 and 5 month olds) the cortical activation increased dramatically. All infant groups showed significant activation when moving displays was contrasted to static displays on a video screen. The study shows that 5-month-old infants and older can be expected to process motion in a similar fashion as adults.Study II covers the infant Mirror Neuron system (MNS). In adults the mu rhythm perturbations is considered a reliable measure of activation of the MNS. This study presented both a mu rhythm analysis and a ERP analysis to detect MNS activity in 6-month-olds and in adults. This study concludes that the infant MNS can be measured using ERPs and that the development of mu rhythm perturbations requires further study.Study III focused on exploring the mu rhythm suppressions. 8-month-olds observed a live actor that performed goal directed reaches and non-goal directed hand movements. The results show robust mu rhythm perturbations time-locked to the grasping moment. The study concluded that the MNS activity is possible to evaluate by analysis of mu rhythm perturbations and that the MNS show mature characteristics at the age of 8 months.In summary, Study 2 and 3 present new methods to investigate the infant Mirror Neuron system and shows that the infant MNS is active at 6 months of age. At 8 months of age the infant MNS show mature EEG responses to simple actions such as reaching. How the MNS development relates to the infants’ motor development, and how the MNS interacts with the development of social skills requires further studies that could benefit from the methods presented here.
Peter G. Enticott - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a transcranial magnetic stimulation study of the effect of visual orientation on the putative human Mirror Neuron system
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2013Co-Authors: Jed D Burgess, Bernadette M. Fitzgibbon, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Sara Arnold, Peter G. EnticottAbstract:Mirror Neurons are a class of motor Neuron that are active during both the performance and observation of behavior, and have been implicated in interpersonal understanding There is evidence to suggest that the Mirror response is modulated by the perspective from which an action is presented (e.g., egocentric or allocentric). Most human research, however, has only examined this when presenting intransitive actions. Twenty-three healthy adult participants completed a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) experiment that assessed corticospinal excitability whilst viewing transitive hand gestures from both egocentric (i.e., self) and allocentric (i.e., other) viewpoints. Although action observation was associated with increases in corticospinal excitability (reflecting putative human Mirror Neuron activity), there was no effect of visual perspective. These findings are discussed in the context of contemporary theories of Mirror Neuron ontogeny, including models concerning associative learning and evolutionary adaptation.
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Mirror Neuron activity associated with social impairments but not age in autism spectrum disorder
Biological Psychiatry, 2012Co-Authors: Peter G. Enticott, Zafiris J Daskalakis, Hayley A Kennedy, Nicole Joan Rinehart, Bruce J Tonge, John L Bradshaw, John Raymond Taffe, Paul B. FitzgeraldAbstract:Background The neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not particularly well understood, and biomedical treatment approaches are therefore extremely limited. A prominent explanatory model suggests that social-relating symptoms may arise from dysfunction within the Mirror Neuron system, while a recent neuroimaging study suggests that these impairments in ASD might reduce with age. Methods Participants with autism spectrum disorder (i.e., DSM-IV autistic disorder or Asperger's disorder) ( n = 34) and matched control subjects ( n = 36) completed a transcranial magnetic stimulation study in which corticospinal excitability was assessed during the observation of hand gestures. Results Regression analyses revealed that the ASD group presented with significantly reduced corticospinal excitability during the observation of a transitive hand gesture (relative to observation of a static hand) ( p Conclusions These data provide general support for the Mirror Neuron hypothesis of autism; researchers now must clarify the precise functional significance of Mirror Neurons to truly understand their role in the neuropathophysiology of ASD and to determine whether they should be used as targets for the treatment of ASD.
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reduced motor facilitation during action observation in schizophrenia a Mirror Neuron deficit
Schizophrenia Research, 2008Co-Authors: Peter G. Enticott, Patrick Johnston, Sally E. Herring, Kate E Hoy, Zafiris J Daskalakis, Paul B. FitzgeraldAbstract:Impairments in social cognitive functioning are well documented in schizophrenia, however the neural basis of these deficits is unclear. A recent explanatory model of social cognition centers upon the activity of Mirror Neurons, which are cortical brain cells that become active during both the performance and observation of behavior. Here, we test for the first time whether Mirror Neuron functioning is reduced in schizophrenia. Fifteen individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and fifteen healthy controls completed a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) experiment designed to assess Mirror Neuron activation. While patients demonstrated no abnormalities in cortical excitability, motor facilitation during action observation, putatively reflecting Mirror Neuron activity, was reduced in schizophrenia. Dysfunction within the Mirror Neuron system may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Mirror Neuron activation is associated with facial emotion processing
Neuropsychologia, 2008Co-Authors: Peter G. Enticott, Patrick Johnston, Sally E. Herring, Kate Elizabeth Hoy, Paul B. FitzgeraldAbstract:Theoretical accounts suggest that Mirror Neurons play a crucial role in social cognition. The current study used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the association between Mirror Neuron activation and facial emotion processing, a fundamental aspect of social cognition, among healthy adults (n=20). Facial emotion processing of static (but not dynamic) images correlated significantly with an enhanced motor response, proposed to reflect Mirror Neuron activation. These correlations did not appear to reflect general facial processing or pattern recognition, and provide support to current theoretical accounts linking the Mirror Neuron system to aspects of social cognition. We discuss the mechanism by which Mirror Neurons might facilitate facial emotion recognition.
Marco Iacoboni - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the use of brain imaging to investigate the human Mirror Neuron system
Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology#R##N#Brain Mapping#R##N#An Encyclopedic Reference, 2015Co-Authors: Marco IacoboniAbstract:This article reviews the strategies, pitfalls, and main findings of investigating the human Mirror Neuron system with noninvasive brain imaging techniques. It also discusses the main hypotheses regarding the functional role of the Mirror Neuron system, from action understanding to imitation, from empathy and social cognition to language and speech.
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Mirror Neuron forum
Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2011Co-Authors: Vittorio Gallese, Cecilia Heyes, Morton Ann Gernsbacher, Gregory Hickok, Marco IacoboniAbstract:s, 297, 13. Ferrari, P.F., Visalberghi, E., Paukner, A., Fogassi, L., Ruggiero, A., & Suomi, S.J. (2006). Neonatal imitation in rhesus macaques. PLoS Biology, 4(9), e302. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0040302 Field, T., Field, T., Sanders, C., & Nadel, J. (2001). Children with autism display more social behaviors after repeated imitation sessions. Autism, 5, 317–323. Fiorito, G., & Scotto, P. (1992). Observational learning in Octopus vulgaris. Science, 256, 545–547. Fogassi, L., Ferrari, P.F., Gesierich, B., Rozzi, S., Chersi, F., & Rizzolatti, G. (2005). Parietal lobe: From action organization to intention understanding. Science, 302, 662–667. Foss, D.J., & Gernsbacher, M.A. (1983). Cracking the dual code: Toward a unitary model of phoneme identification. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 22, 609–632. Friston, K.J., Daunizeau, J., Kilner, J., & Kiebel, S.J. (2010). Action and behavior: A free-energy formulation. Biological Cybernetics, 102, 227–260. doi:10.1007/s00422–010–0364–z Friston, K., Mattout, J., & Kilner, J. (2011). Action understanding and active inference. Biological Cybernetics. Advance online publication. doi:10.1007/s00422–011–0424–z Gallese, V. (2000). The inner sense of action: Agency and motor representations. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 7, 23–40. Gallese, V. (2001). The ‘‘shared manifold’’ hypothesis: From Mirror Neurons to empathy. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 8, 33–50. Gallese, V. (2003). The roots of empathy: The shared manifold hypothesis and the neural basis of intersubjectivity. Psychopathology, 36, 171–180. Mirror Neuron Forum 399 by guest on August 17, 2011 pps.sagepub.com Downloaded from Gallese, V. (2005). Embodied simulation: From Neurons to phenomenal experience. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, 4, 23–48. Gallese, V. (2006a). Intentional attunement: A neurophysiological perspective on social cognition and its disruption in autism. Brain Research, 1079, 15–24. Gallese, V. (2006b). Mirror Neurons and intentional attunement: Commentary on olds related papers. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 54, 47–57. Gallese, V. (2007a). Before and below ‘‘theory of mind’’: Embodied simulation and the neural correlates of social cognition. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 362, 659–669. Gallese, V. (2007b). The ‘‘conscious’’ dorsal stream: Embodied simulation and its role in space and action conscious awareness. PSYCHE. Retrieved from http://www.unipr.it/arpa/Mirror/pubs/ pdffiles/Gallese/Gallese%20Psyche%202007.pdf Gallese, V. (2008). Mirror Neurons and the social nature of language: The neural exploitation hypothesis. Social Neuroscience, 3, 317–333. Gallese, V. (2009). Motor abstraction: A neuroscientific account of how action goals and intentions are mapped and understood. Psychological Research, 73, 486–498. Gallese, V., Eagle, M.N., & Migone, P. (2007). Intentional attunement: Mirror Neurons and the neural underpinnings of interpersonal relations. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 55, 131–176. Gallese, V., Fadiga, L., Fogassi, L., & Rizzolatti, G. (1996). Action recognition in the premotor cortex. Brain, 593, 119. Gallese, V., Keysers, C., & Rizzolatti, G. (2004). A unifying view of the basis of social cognition. Trends in Cognitive Science, 8, 396–403. Gallese, V., Rochat, M., Cossu, G., & Sinigaglia, C. (2009). Motor cognition and its role in the phylogeny and ontogeny of intentional understanding. Developmental Psychology, 45, 103–113. Gallese, V., & Sinigaglia, C. (2010). The bodily self as power for action. Neuropsychologia, 48, 746–755. Gallese, V., & Sinigaglia, C. (in press). Cognition in action. A new look at the cortical motor system. In J. Metcalfe & H. Terrace (Eds.), Joint attention and agency Oxford, England: Oxford
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Mirror Neuron system basic findings and clinical applications
Annals of Neurology, 2007Co-Authors: Marco Iacoboni, John C MazziottaAbstract:In primates, ventral premotor and rostral inferior parietal Neurons fire during the execution of hand and mouth actions. Some cells (called Mirror Neurons) also fire when hand and mouth actions are just observed. Mirror Neurons provide a simple neural mechanism for understanding the actions of others. In humans, posterior inferior frontal and rostral inferior parietal areas have Mirror properties. These human areas are relevant to imitative learning and social behavior. Indeed, the socially isolating condition of autism is associated with a deficit in Mirror Neuron areas. Strategies inspired by Mirror Neuron research recently have been used in the treatment of autism and in motor rehabilitation after stroke. Ann Neurol 2007
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Mirror Neuron system basic findings and clinical applications
Annals of Neurology, 2007Co-Authors: Marco Iacoboni, John C MazziottaAbstract:In primates, ventral premotor and rostral inferior parietal Neurons fire during the execution of hand and mouth actions. Some cells (called Mirror Neurons) also fire when hand and mouth actions are just observed. Mirror Neurons provide a simple neural mechanism for understanding the actions of others. In humans, posterior inferior frontal and rostral inferior parietal areas have Mirror properties. These human areas are relevant to imitative learning and social behavior. Indeed, the socially isolating condition of autism is associated with a deficit in Mirror Neuron areas. Strategies inspired by Mirror Neuron research recently have been used in the treatment of autism and in motor rehabilitation after stroke.
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observing complex action sequences the role of the fronto parietal Mirror Neuron system
NeuroImage, 2006Co-Authors: Istvan Molnarszakacs, Patricia M Greenfield, Jonas T Kaplan, Marco IacoboniAbstract:Abstract A fronto-parietal Mirror Neuron network in the human brain supports the ability to represent and understand observed actions allowing us to successfully interact with others and our environment. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we wanted to investigate the response of this network in adults during observation of hierarchically organized action sequences of varying complexity that emerge at different developmental stages. We hypothesized that fronto-parietal systems may play a role in coding the hierarchical structure of object-directed actions. The observation of all action sequences recruited a common bilateral network including the fronto-parietal Mirror Neuron system and occipito-temporal visual motion areas. Activity in Mirror Neuron areas varied according to the motoric complexity of the observed actions, but not according to the developmental sequence of action structures, possibly due to the fact that our subjects were all adults. These results suggest that the Mirror Neuron system provides a fairly accurate simulation process of observed actions, mimicking internally the level of motoric complexity. We also discuss the results in terms of the links between Mirror Neurons, language development and evolution.
Lisa Azizzadeh - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mirror Neuron activation in children with developmental coordination disorder a functional mri study
International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 2015Co-Authors: Jess E Reynolds, Julie Werner, Lisa Azizzadeh, Melissa K Licari, Jac Billington, Yihui Chen, Anne M Winsor, Michael ByneveltAbstract:The aim of this study was to reveal cortical areas that may contribute to the movement difficulties seen in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Specifically, we hypothesized that there may be a deficit in the Mirror Neuron system (MNS), a neural system that responds to both performed and observed actions. Using functional MRI, 14 boys with DCD (x=10.08 years ± 1.31, range=7.83-11.58 years) and 12 typically developing controls (x=10.10 years ± 1.15, range=8.33-12.00 years) were scanned observing, executing and imitating a finger sequencing task using their right hand. Cortical activations of Mirror Neuron regions, including posterior inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), ventral premotor cortex, anterior inferior parietal lobule and superior temporal sulcus were examined. Children with DCD had decreased cortical activation Mirror Neuron related regions, including the precentral gyrus and IFG, as well as in the posterior cingulate and precuneus complex when observing the sequencing task. Region of interest analysis revealed lower activation in the pars opercularis, a primary MNS region, during imitation in the DCD group compared to controls. These findings provide some preliminary evidence to support a possible MNS dysfunction in children with DCD.
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the Mirror Neuron system innovations and implications for occupational therapy
Otjr-occupation Participation and Health, 2012Co-Authors: Sooklei Liew, Julie Werner, Kathleen A Garrison, Lisa AzizzadehAbstract:Occupational therapy has traditionally championed the use of meaningful occupations in rehabilitation. Emerging research in neuroscience about the putative human Mirror Neuron system may provide empirical support for the use of occupations to improve outcomes in rehabilitation. This article provides an interdisciplinary framework for understanding the Mirror Neuron system—a network of motor-related brain regions activated during the production and perception of the same actions—in relation to occupational therapy. The authors present an overview of recent research on the Mirror Neuron system, highlighting features that are relevant to clinical practice in occupational therapy. They also discuss the potential use of the Mirror Neuron system in motor rehabilitation and how it may be deficient in populations served by occupational therapy, including individuals with dyspraxia, multisensory integration disorders, and social interaction difficulties. Methods are proposed for occupational therapy to translate t...
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neural correlates of developmental coordination disorder the Mirror Neuron system hypothesis
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science, 2012Co-Authors: Julie Werner, Sharon A Cermak, Lisa AzizzadehAbstract:Primary impairments of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) include impairments in motor skill, motor learning, and imitation. Such difficulties present challenges for individuals with DCD and may persist into adulthood, negatively impacting daily life in school, work, and social domains. A better understanding of the neural correlates of motor and imitation impairments in DCD holds the potential for informing development of treatment approaches to address these impairments. Although the disorder is assumed to be of neurological origin, little is known of the brain-based etiology of DCD. In recent years the discovery of a fronto-parietal circuit—known as the Mirror Neuron system—has enabled researchers to better understand imitation, general motor functions, and aspects of social cognition. Given its involvement in imitation and other motor functions, we propose that dysfunction in the Mirror Neuron system may underlie the characteristic impairments of DCD. We review literature pertaining to the Mirror Neuron system and develop a theory of disordered Mirror Neuron functioning in DCD. Finally, we review the limited neuroimaging literature available on neural correlates of DCD and show that the findings from those investigations are congruent with a Mirror Neuron system theory of DCD. Future research in this population should be designed to investigate specifically Mirror Neuron regions in individuals with DCD during skilled motor tasks and imitation in particular.
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familiarity modulates Mirror Neuron and mentalizing regions during intention understanding
Human Brain Mapping, 2011Co-Authors: Sooklei Liew, Shihui Han, Lisa AzizzadehAbstract:Recent research suggests that the inference of others' intentions from their observed actions is supported by two neural systems that perform complementary roles. The human putative Mirror Neuron system (pMNS) is thought to support automatic motor simulations of observed actions, with increased activity for previously experienced actions, whereas the mentalizing system provides reflective, non-intuitive reasoning of others' perspectives, particularly in the absence of prior experience. In the current fMRI study, we show how motor familiarity with an action and perceptual familiarity with the race of an actor uniquely modulate these two systems. Chinese participants were asked to infer the intentions of actors performing symbolic gestures, an important form of non-verbal communication that has been shown to activate both mentalizing and Mirror Neuron regions. Stimuli were manipulated along two dimensions: (1) actor's race (Caucasian vs. Chinese actors) and (2) participants' level of experience with the gestures (familiar or unfamiliar). We found that observing all gestures compared to observing still images was associated with increased activity in key regions of both the pMNS and mentalizing systems. In addition, observations of one's same race generated greater activity in the posterior pMNS-related regions and the insula than observations of a different race. Surprisingly, however, familiar gestures more strongly activated regions associated with mentalizing, while unfamiliar gestures more strongly activated the posterior region of the pMNS, a finding that is contrary to prior literature and demonstrates the powerful modulatory effects of both motor and perceptual familiarity on pMNS and mentalizing regions when asked to infer the intentions of intransitive gestures.
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the Mirror Neuron system a neural substrate for methods in stroke rehabilitation
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 2010Co-Authors: Kathleen A Garrison, Carolee J Winstein, Lisa AzizzadehAbstract:Mirror Neurons found in the premotor and parietal cortex respond not only during action execution, but also during observation of actions being performed by others. Thus, the motor system may be activated without overt movement. Rehabilitation of motor function after stroke is often challenging due to severity of impairment and poor to absent voluntary movement ability. Methods in stroke rehabilitation based on the Mirror Neuron system—action observation, motor imagery, and imitation—take advantage of this opportunity to rebuild motor function despite impairments, as an alternative or complement to physical therapy. Here the authors review research into each condition of practice, and discuss the relevance of the Mirror Neuron system to stroke recovery.
Paul B. Fitzgerald - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a transcranial magnetic stimulation study of the effect of visual orientation on the putative human Mirror Neuron system
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2013Co-Authors: Jed D Burgess, Bernadette M. Fitzgibbon, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Sara Arnold, Peter G. EnticottAbstract:Mirror Neurons are a class of motor Neuron that are active during both the performance and observation of behavior, and have been implicated in interpersonal understanding There is evidence to suggest that the Mirror response is modulated by the perspective from which an action is presented (e.g., egocentric or allocentric). Most human research, however, has only examined this when presenting intransitive actions. Twenty-three healthy adult participants completed a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) experiment that assessed corticospinal excitability whilst viewing transitive hand gestures from both egocentric (i.e., self) and allocentric (i.e., other) viewpoints. Although action observation was associated with increases in corticospinal excitability (reflecting putative human Mirror Neuron activity), there was no effect of visual perspective. These findings are discussed in the context of contemporary theories of Mirror Neuron ontogeny, including models concerning associative learning and evolutionary adaptation.
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Mirror Neuron activity associated with social impairments but not age in autism spectrum disorder
Biological Psychiatry, 2012Co-Authors: Peter G. Enticott, Zafiris J Daskalakis, Hayley A Kennedy, Nicole Joan Rinehart, Bruce J Tonge, John L Bradshaw, John Raymond Taffe, Paul B. FitzgeraldAbstract:Background The neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not particularly well understood, and biomedical treatment approaches are therefore extremely limited. A prominent explanatory model suggests that social-relating symptoms may arise from dysfunction within the Mirror Neuron system, while a recent neuroimaging study suggests that these impairments in ASD might reduce with age. Methods Participants with autism spectrum disorder (i.e., DSM-IV autistic disorder or Asperger's disorder) ( n = 34) and matched control subjects ( n = 36) completed a transcranial magnetic stimulation study in which corticospinal excitability was assessed during the observation of hand gestures. Results Regression analyses revealed that the ASD group presented with significantly reduced corticospinal excitability during the observation of a transitive hand gesture (relative to observation of a static hand) ( p Conclusions These data provide general support for the Mirror Neuron hypothesis of autism; researchers now must clarify the precise functional significance of Mirror Neurons to truly understand their role in the neuropathophysiology of ASD and to determine whether they should be used as targets for the treatment of ASD.
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reduced motor facilitation during action observation in schizophrenia a Mirror Neuron deficit
Schizophrenia Research, 2008Co-Authors: Peter G. Enticott, Patrick Johnston, Sally E. Herring, Kate E Hoy, Zafiris J Daskalakis, Paul B. FitzgeraldAbstract:Impairments in social cognitive functioning are well documented in schizophrenia, however the neural basis of these deficits is unclear. A recent explanatory model of social cognition centers upon the activity of Mirror Neurons, which are cortical brain cells that become active during both the performance and observation of behavior. Here, we test for the first time whether Mirror Neuron functioning is reduced in schizophrenia. Fifteen individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and fifteen healthy controls completed a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) experiment designed to assess Mirror Neuron activation. While patients demonstrated no abnormalities in cortical excitability, motor facilitation during action observation, putatively reflecting Mirror Neuron activity, was reduced in schizophrenia. Dysfunction within the Mirror Neuron system may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Mirror Neuron activation is associated with facial emotion processing
Neuropsychologia, 2008Co-Authors: Peter G. Enticott, Patrick Johnston, Sally E. Herring, Kate Elizabeth Hoy, Paul B. FitzgeraldAbstract:Theoretical accounts suggest that Mirror Neurons play a crucial role in social cognition. The current study used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the association between Mirror Neuron activation and facial emotion processing, a fundamental aspect of social cognition, among healthy adults (n=20). Facial emotion processing of static (but not dynamic) images correlated significantly with an enhanced motor response, proposed to reflect Mirror Neuron activation. These correlations did not appear to reflect general facial processing or pattern recognition, and provide support to current theoretical accounts linking the Mirror Neuron system to aspects of social cognition. We discuss the mechanism by which Mirror Neurons might facilitate facial emotion recognition.