Year: 2012
Type: letter
Abstract: Mirror neurons and their mechanismA. are activated only during observation of the same act performed by another individual B. are activated only during the execution of a motor act C. are activated both during observation of the same motor act performed by another individual and during the execution of a motor act D. are located only in centers that mediate voluntary movement E. are not important in language processing and speech production 2. In regard to action observation in motor stroke rehabilitation A. it activates the motor system similarly to execution B. combined with physical therapy it has the same effect as standard physical therapy P. SALE, M. FRANCESCHINI Mirror neurons are a specific class of neurons that are activated and discharge both during observation of the same or similar motor act performed by another individual and during the execution of a motor act.Different studies based on non-invasive neuroelectrophysiological assessment or functional brain imaging techniques have demonstrated the presence of the mirror neuron and their mechanism in humans.Various authors have demonstrated that in the human these networks are activated when individuals learn motor actions via execution (as in traditional motor learning), imitation, observation (as in observational learning) and motor imagery.Activation of these brain areas (inferior parietal lobe and the ventral premotor cortex, as well as the caudal part of the inferior frontal gyrus, IFG) following observation or motor imagery may thereby facilitate subsequent movement execution by directly matching the observed or imagined action to the internal simulation of that action.It is therefore believed that this multisensory action-observation system enables individuals to (re)learn impaired motor functions through the activation of these internal action-related representations.In humans, the mirror mechanism is also located in various brain segment: in Broca's area, which is involved in language processing and speech production and not only in centers that mediate voluntary movement, but also in cortical areas that mediate visceromotor emotionrelated behaviors.According to this finding, during the last 10 years various studies have been carried out regarding the clinical use of action observation for motor rehabilitation of sub-acute and chronic stroke patients.
Source: IRIS
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7209048776