Abstract
While the existence of a human mirror neuron system is evident, the involved brain areas and their exact functional roles remain under scientific debate. A number of functionally different mirror neuron types, neurons that selectively respond to specific grasp phases and types for example, have been reported with single cell recordings in monkeys. In humans, spatially limited, intracranially recorded electrophysiological signals in the high-gamma (HG) range have been used to investigate the human mirror system, as they are associated with spiking activity in single neurons. Our goal here is to complement previous intracranial HG studies by using magnetoencephalography to record HG activity simultaneously from the whole head. Participants performed a natural reach-to-grasp movement observation and delayed imitation task with different everyday objects and grasp types. This allowed us to characterize the spatial organization of cortical areas that show HG-activation modulation during movement observation (mirroring), retention (mnemonic mirroring), and execution (motor control). Our results show mirroring related HG modulation patterns over bilateral occipito-parietal as well as sensorimotor areas. In addition, we found mnemonic mirroring related HG modulation over contra-lateral fronto-temporal areas. These results provide a foundation for further human mirror system research as well as possible target areas for brain-computer interface and neurorehabilitation approaches.
Highlights
Ever since the first descriptions about mirror neurons in monkeys were reported [1], the existence of a human mirror neuron system and especially its functional role has been vividly debated [2]
We found consistent HG activity decreases in sensors over inferior frontal and superior temporal gyrus during movement observation, retention and execution, potentially hinting at mnemonic properties in these areas
We found mirror-like HG activity in sensors over previously described mirror neuron sites and over brain areas known to be involved in the control of reach and grasp movements
Summary
Ever since the first descriptions about mirror neurons in monkeys were reported [1], the existence of a human mirror neuron system and especially its functional role has been vividly debated [2]. Mirror neurons are neurons that show similar responses to action observation and action execution, especially for meaningful, goal-directed actions. These neuronal response patterns have been suggested to represent automatic direct mapping of the observed movement to the observers motor repertoire helping the observer to understand the action intention of other individuals [3]. High-gamma mirror activity patterns in the human brain
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