Abstract
The mirror neuron system (MNS), mainly including the premotor cortex (PMC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), superior parietal lobule (SPL), and rostral inferior parietal lobule (IPL), has attracted extensive attention as a possible neural mechanism of social interaction. Owing to high ecological validity, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has become an ideal approach for exploring the MNS. Unfortunately, for the feasibility of fNIRS to detect the MNS, none of the four dominant regions were found in previous studies, implying a very limited capacity of fNIRS to investigate the MNS. Here, we adopted an experimental paradigm in a real-life situation to evaluate whether the MNS activity, including four dominant regions, can be detected by using fNIRS. Specifically, 30 right-handed subjects were asked to complete a table-setting task that included action execution and action observation. A double density probe configuration covered the four regions of the MNS in the left hemisphere. We used a traditional channel-based group analysis and also a ROI-based group analysis to find which regions are activated during both action execution and action observation. The results showed that the IFG, adjacent PMC, SPL, and IPL were involved in both conditions, indicating the feasibility of fNIRS to detect the MNS. Our findings provide a foundation for future research to explore the functional role of the MNS in social interaction and various disorders using fNIRS.
Highlights
Humans are highly social animals and social interaction is ubiquitous and essential for our survival (Oberman et al, 2006; Sänger et al, 2011; Babiloni and Astolfi, 2014)
Previous studies have noted the human homolog of area F5 contains the premotor cortex [PMC: Brodmann area (BA) 6] and the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG: BA44/45), and the most likely PF/PFG in humans is located in the rostral part of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) (BA40) (Buccino et al, 2001; Rizzolatti and Craighero, 2004; Filimon et al, 2007; Kilner et al, 2009)
The purpose of our study is to investigate whether the mirror neuron system (MNS) activity, including four dominant regions, can be detected by using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)
Summary
Humans are highly social animals and social interaction is ubiquitous and essential for our survival (Oberman et al, 2006; Sänger et al, 2011; Babiloni and Astolfi, 2014). Mirror neurons were originally discovered in area F5 of the monkey premotor cortex and subsequently in the rostral sector of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) (PF/PFG) (Gallese et al, 1996; Rizzolatti et al, 1996a; Rizzolatti and Craighero, 2004; Fogassi et al, 2005). Previous studies have noted the human homolog of area F5 contains the premotor cortex [PMC: Brodmann area (BA) 6] and the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG: BA44/45), and the most likely PF/PFG in humans is located in the rostral part of the IPL (BA40) (Buccino et al, 2001; Rizzolatti and Craighero, 2004; Filimon et al, 2007; Kilner et al, 2009). Studies have shown that the PMC is involved in understanding the intention of others (Ciaramidaro et al, 2014) and that the rostral IPL is related to joint action (Egetemeir et al, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
