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.

scholarly journals The interpretation of mu suppression as an index of mirror neuron activity: past, present and future

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 160662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah M. Hobson ◽  
Dorothy V. M. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Processes ◽  
Neuron Activity ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Mu Suppression ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Robust Evidence

Mu suppression studies have been widely used to infer the activity of the human mirror neuron system (MNS) in a number of processes, ranging from action understanding, language, empathy and the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Although mu suppression is enjoying a resurgence of interest, it has a long history. This review aimed to revisit mu's past, and examine its recent use to investigate MNS involvement in language, social processes and ASDs. Mu suppression studies have largely failed to produce robust evidence for the role of the MNS in these domains. Several key potential shortcomings with the use and interpretation of mu suppression, documented in the older literature and highlighted by more recent reports, are explored here.

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.

scholarly journals Autism and the mirror neuron system: insights from learning and teaching

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1644) ◽  
pp. 20130184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Vivanti ◽  
Sally J. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Positive Treatment ◽  
Learning From Others

Individuals with autism have difficulties in social learning domains which typically involve mirror neuron system (MNS) activation. However, the precise role of the MNS in the development of autism and its relevance to treatment remain unclear. In this paper, we argue that three distinct aspects of social learning are critical for advancing knowledge in this area: (i) the mechanisms that allow for the implicit mapping of and learning from others' behaviour, (ii) the motivation to attend to and model conspecifics and (iii) the flexible and selective use of social learning. These factors are key targets of the Early Start Denver Model, an autism treatment approach which emphasizes social imitation, dyadic engagement, verbal and non-verbal communication and affect sharing. Analysis of the developmental processes and treatment-related changes in these different aspects of social learning in autism can shed light on the nature of the neuropsychological mechanisms underlying social learning and positive treatment outcomes in autism. This knowledge in turn may assist in developing more successful pedagogic approaches to autism spectrum disorder. Thus, intervention research can inform the debate on relations among neuropsychology of social learning, the role of the MNS, and educational practice in autism.

scholarly journals The mirror mechanism in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-synthesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Valizadeh ◽  
Nazanin Hedayati Amlashi ◽  
Anita Rasooli ◽  
Mathew Mbwogge ◽  
Ainaaz Haadi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Citation Index ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Rationale: Mirror neurons are visuomotor neurons that perform mirror mechanisms, meaning each time an individual observes another individual performing an action, these neurons which encode that action, are activated in the observer’s cortical motor system. One of the cognitive domains of controversy in schizophrenia is Motor Resonance, also known as the Mirror Neuron System (MNS). In the current paper, we aim to review all the available literature regarding mirror mechanism examination in patients with schizophrenia and present an explicit summary of the available findings up to this date.Objectives: To investigate the mirror mechanism in patients with schizophrenia and related disorders (psychosis spectrum disorder) and present an explicit view of available findings regarding this manner up to the date.Data sources: We will search MEDLINE (through PubMed), Embase, Science Citation Index – Expanded (Web of Science), and Conference Proceedings Citation Index – Science (Web of Science). We won’t consider any timeframe, language, or geographical restrictions.Methods: Standard systematic review protocol methodology is employed. Eligibility criteria is reported in line with SPIDER guideline. Sample is limited to Adults of any age and sex with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychosis spectrum disorders in general confirmed by a physician according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) guidelines, irrespective of the severity of disease and duration of illness. Participants with any other confirmed structural or functional neurologic disorders will be excluded. Phenomenon of interest is the mirror neuron system (MNS) functional integrity. Study designs will be restricted to observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. Means of evaluation will be Electroencephalography (EEG), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), Eye-tracking, and muscle activation (EMG). Research types of interest will be qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods researches. All included studies will be assessed for the risk of bias using NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. We will perform a meta-synthesis based on vote counting methods on the included studies. We will also evaluate the publication bias using Funnel plots and assess the confidence in cumulative evidence using CERQual.

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.

scholarly journals Does theatrical play promote social skills development in students with autism? A systematic review of the methods and measures employed in the literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Maria Mpella ◽  
Christina Evaggelinou
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Social Skill Development ◽  
Pedagogical Strategies ◽  
Theatrical Play ◽  
Students With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

This systematic review cites a number of programs and critically analyzes methods and measures used to develop social skills in young students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Social skills are interpreted through a ToM theory lens, emphasizing interactions such as understanding, explaining, predicting, and manipulating the behavior of themselves and the others. The aim of this review is to study the role of the theatrical play programs and its effect on social interactions and social skills on students with ASD. An online search through Proquest and First Search resulted in twelve studies of diverse methodologies. All these studies support the value of theatrical play as a means of social skill development. More specifically, the qualitative, as well as the quantitative data, indicate the benefits of these programs on ASD students’ social skills such as cooperation, communication, and social awareness. More longitudinal studies are needed to develop and test pedagogical strategies for social skills development of ASD students in light of theatrical play activities. In addition, studies should be geared towards the teacher’s ability to teach theatrical play and thus promote social interaction between students with and without ASD in integrated school environments. Synchronizing theory with art and cooperative play seems to be the key to answer such assumptions positively.

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.

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