Language and mirror neurons

2007 ◽  
pp. 770-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Rizzolatti ◽  
Laila Craighero
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Macaque Monkey ◽  
Mirror System ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
Linguistic Communication ◽  
Intentional Communication ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Body Postures

Besides linguistic communication, which is at the core of human communication, humans communicate using arm gestures, body postures, facial expressions, eye contact, and head and body movements. Communication may be intentional or non-intentional. It is very plausible that intentional communication is an evolutionarily late development of non-intentional communication. In the motor cortex of the macaque monkey, it was discovered that there is a particular set of neurons that discharge both when the monkey observes a given motor act and when it does the same act. These neurons, called “mirror neurons,” represent a system that directly matches observed and executed actions. This article first provides an overview of the mirror neuron system in monkeys and then looks at its role in intention recognition. It also considers neurophysiological evidence of the mirror system in humans and discusses brain imaging studies of the human mirror system, the link between mirror neurons and language, the transition from gestures to sound, and the appearance of echo-mirror neurons.

The mirror system in human and nonhuman primates

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy A. Orban
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Mirror System ◽  
Sensorimotor Learning ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Additional Testing

AbstractThe description of the mirror neuron system provided by Cook et al. is incomplete for the macaque, and incorrect for humans. This is relevant to exaptation versus associative learning as the underlying mechanism generating mirror neurons, and to the sensorimotor learning as evidence for the authors' viewpoint. The proposed additional testing of the mirror system in rodents is unrealistic.

scholarly journals Being Together in Time: Musical Experience and the Mirror Neuron System

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 489-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Overy ◽  
Istvan Molnar-Szakacs
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Auditory Signal ◽  
Musical Experience ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Action Mechanisms ◽  
Successful Work ◽  
Conceptual Shift

THE DISCOVERY OF INDIVIDUAL "MIRROR NEURONS" in the macaque brain that fire both when an action is executed and when that same action is observed or heard, and of a homologous system in humans, is leading to an extraordinary conceptual shift in our understanding of perception-action mechanisms, human communication, and empathy. In a recent model of emotional responses to music (Molnar-Szakacs & Overy, 2006), we proposed that music is perceived not only as an auditory signal, but also as intentional, hierarchically organized sequences of expressive motor acts behind the signal; and that the human mirror neuron system allows for corepresentation and sharing of a musical experience between agent and listener. Here, we expand upon this model of Shared Affective Motion Experience (SAME) and discuss its implications for music therapy and special education.We hypothesize that imitation, synchronization, and shared experience may be key elements of successful work in these areas.

Intentionality of movement: Mirror neuron system and theory of mind

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 2113-2113 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Borghi ◽  
F. Binkofski
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Action Understanding ◽  
Imaging Studies ◽  
Motor Representation ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Additional Explanation

The ability to understand intentions of actions performed by others is one of the prerequisites for social interaction. This ability has been attributed to our capacity to mentalize others’ behaviour, by simulating or predicting their mental states that would cause that behaviour and make it comprehensible. Brain imaging studies revealed the so called “mentalizng network” including the pSTS/TPJ, the temporal poles and the medial prefrontal cortex. This network gets constantly activated anytime we try to take the perspective of others or try to simulate their state of mind. On the other hand the discovery of mirror neurons has provided an additional explanation for understanding of the content of actions. The functional properties of these neurons point out that action understanding is primarily based on a mechanism that directly matches the sensory representation of perceived actions with one's own motor representation of the same actions. We provide evidence that both systems interact closely during the processing of intentionality of actions. Thus mentalizing is not the only form of intentional understanding and motor and intentional components of action are closely interwoven. Both systems play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Eye Movements and Mirror Neurons

2020 ◽  
pp. 89-103
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Iurato
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Universal Algebra ◽  
Natural Science ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Phenomenological Theory ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Movement Dynamics

Denotational mathematics, in the context of universal algebra, may provide algebraic structures that are able to formalize human eye movement dynamics with respect to Husserlian phenomenological theory, from which it is then possible to make briefly reference to some further relations with mirror neuron system and related topics. In this way, the authors have provided a first instance of fruitful application of socio-humanities (to be precise, philosophy and sociology) in exact/natural science used in formalizing processes.

scholarly journals A "global" network dysfunction in the mirror neuron system in autism is modulated by task complexity and age: A meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Yan Melody Chan ◽  
Yvonne M.Y. Han
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background Impaired imitation has been found to be an important factor contributing to social communication deficits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been hypothesized that the neural correlates of imitation, the mirror neuron system (MNS), are dysfunctional in ASD, resulting in imitation impairment as one of the key behavioral manifestations in ASD. Previous MNS studies produced inconsistent results, leaving the debate of whether mirror neurons are “broken” in ASD unresolved.Methods This meta-analysis aimed to explore the differences in MNS activation patterns between typically developing (TD) and ASD individuals when they observe/imitate biological motions with/without emotional components. Effect-size signed differential mapping (ES-SDM) was adopted to synthesize the available fMRI data. Results The MNS is dysfunctional in ASD; not only the brain regions containing mirror neurons were affected, the brain regions supporting MNS functioning were also impaired. Second, MNS dysfunction in ASD is modulated by task complexity; differential activation patterns during the presentation of “cold” and “hot” stimuli might be a result of atypical functional connectivity in ASD. Third, MNS dysfunction in ASD individuals is modulated by age. MNS regions were found to show delayed maturation; abnormal lateralization development in some of the brain regions also contributed to the atypical development of the MNS in ASD. Limitations We have attempted to include a comprehensive set of original data for this analysis. However, whole brain analysis data were not obtainable from some of the published papers, these studies could not be included as a result. Moreover, the results indicating the age effect on MNS in ASD could only be generalized to individuals aged 11-37, as MNS activation remains unstudied for populations beyond this age range. Also, the ES-SDM linear regression modelling might not be ideal to illustrate the associations between age and MNS activation; the meta-regression results should be treated with caution. Conclusion There is a “global” rather than a “local” network dysfunction, which may underlie the imitation impairments in individuals with ASD. Task complexity and age modulate the functioning of the MNS, which may explain the previous peculiar results contributing to the unresolved “broken mirror neuron” debate.

scholarly journals The role of mirror neurons in cognitive and social functioning*

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
Marta Fabiańska ◽  
Mateusz Bosiacki ◽  
Donata Simińska
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Nerve Cells ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Evolutionary Point

AbstractMirror neurons were accidentally discovered during research on the activity of nerve cells which was conducted by a team of Italian scientists in Parma. They observed that certain brain cells were activated when an animal performed a given activity but also when it observed a similar activity performed by someone else. The following discovery of mirror neurons in the human brain initiated a wave of experimental research which confirmed that mirror nerve cells are responsible for understanding the mental state of other humans. This process is much more complicated and important from an evolutionary point of view than it might initially seem. The activity of mirror neurons is noticeable in everyday life, during all interactions with other living beings. This is exhibited through mirroring – the reflection of emotional and epistemic mental states of others based on their behavior. We present the activities of mirror neurons and the theoretical framework of research. Finally, we discuss the results of neurological studies which have made it possible to locate and define in detail the role of the mirror neuron system in the human brain.

Making a case for mirror-neuron system involvement in language development: What about autism and blindness?

2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Théoret ◽  
Shirley Fecteau
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Motor Resonance ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Communication Development ◽  
System Involvement ◽  
Language Communication

The notion that manual gestures played an important role in the evolution of human language was strengthened by the discovery of mirror neurons in monkey area F5, the proposed homologue of human Broca's area. This idea is central to the thesis developed by Arbib, and lending further support to a link between motor resonance mechanisms and language/communication development is the case of autism and congenital blindness. We provide an account of how these conditions may relate to the aforementioned theory.

scholarly journals Associative learning alone is insufficient for the evolution and maintenance of the human mirror neuron system

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay M. Oberman ◽  
Edward M. Hubbard ◽  
Joseph P. McCleery
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Species Comparisons

AbstractCook et al. argue that mirror neurons originate from associative learning processes, without evolutionary influence from social-cognitive mechanisms. We disagree with this claim and present arguments based upon cross-species comparisons, EEG findings, and developmental neuroscience that the evolution of mirror neurons is most likely driven simultaneously and interactively by evolutionarily adaptive psychological mechanisms and lower-level biological mechanisms that support them.

scholarly journals A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE INFLUENCE OF MIRROR NEURONS IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Salles de Andrade ◽  
Milena Pereira Pondé
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of experimental studies performed to assess the role of mirror neurons in the pathophysiology of autism. Four papers reported that areas of mirror neurons (MN) were under-active in autistic patients, giving weight to the theory of MN as a cause of ASD. Three papers indicated that MN were activated during the proposed activities, advocating atypical activation of MN, but not necessarily hypoactivation of these areas. One of the articles reported that only part of the MN system or just those areas of interconnected neurons are dysfunctional in autism. Analysis of the selected studies showed a correlation between dysfunction of the mirror neuron system and the main symptoms of autism such as deficits in social cognition, complete absence or a reduction in the individual’s interaction with his/her social environment and a failure in the neural mechanisms of imitation.

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