Dissociating Object Directed and Non-Object Directed Action in the Human Mirror System; Implications for Theories of Motor Simulation

Abstract

Mirror neurons are single cells found in macaque premotor and parietal cortices that are active during action execution and observation. In non-human primates, mirror neurons have only been found in relation to object-directed movements or communicative gestures, as non-object directed actions of the upper limb are not well characterized in non-human primates. Mirror neurons provide important evidence for motor simulation theories of cognition, sometimes referred to as the direct matching hypothesis, which propose that observed actions are mapped onto associated motor schemata in a direct and automatic manner. This study, for the first time, directly compares mirror responses, defined as the overlap between action execution and observation, during object directed and meaningless non-object directed actions. We present functional MRI data that demonstrate a clear dissociation between object directed and non-object directed actions within the human mirror system. A premotor and parietal network was preferentially active during object directed actions, whether observed or executed. Moreover, we report spatially correlated activity across multiple voxels for observation and execution of an object directed action. In contrast to predictions made by motor simulation theory, no similar activity was observed for non-object directed actions. These data demonstrate that object directed and meaningless non-object directed actions are subserved by different neuronal networks and that the human mirror response is significantly greater for object directed actions. These data have important implications for understanding the human mirror system and for simulation theories of motor cognition. Subsequent theories of motor simulation must account for these differences, possibly by acknowledging the role of experience in modulating the mirror response.

Vicariously touching products through observing others' hand actions increases purchasing intention, and the effect of visual perspective in this process: An fMRI study

“…Our results showed that, observing actions of the “touch” condition (vs. no‐touch) activated both PMv and SI/SII, suggesting that vicariously experiencing a product involved sensory‐related activity for tactile sensations as well as motor‐related activity for hand movements in bilateral MNS. These results are consistent with previous findings that the premotor and parietal network were preferentially active during object‐directed actions, rather than during non‐object‐directed actions [Agnew et al, ]. Moreover, vicarious neural responses were positively correlated with self‐reported purchasing intention.…”

The Action Observation System when Observing Hand Actions in Autism and Typical Development

“…Few studies have directly investigated whether components of the network are modulated specifically by the presence or absence of an object [Hétu, Mercier, Eugène, Michon, & Jackson, ; Koski et al, ; Turella, Tubaldi, Erb, Grodd, & Castiello, ]. Most examining “transitivity” tend to confound object presence with “meaning,” comparing actions performed with objects to meaningless actions [e.g., Agnew, Wise, & Leech, ; Menz, McNamara, Klemen, & Binkofski, ] or comparing pantomimed actions to communicative gestures [e.g., Corina, Chiu, Knapp, Greenwald, San Jose‐Robertson, & Braun, ; Montogomery, Isenberg, & Haxby, ]. Evidence gleaned indirectly from studies that include object‐directed actions and similarly matched nonobject‐directed actions (i.e., pantomimes) hint that components of the AON may be sensitive to observing a person perform an action with or without an object.…”

Effect of Task-Based Mirror Therapy on Motor Recovery of the Upper Extremity in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

“…4,43 In the present study, it was assumed that the mirror neuron response would be better for task-based movements than for non-task-based movements in MT. 12,13 The neurons fire during subjects' actual performance and when they are merely watching the similar motor tasks in the mirror, which helps in the learning of new skills by visuomotor-proprioception inputs. 44,45 Clinically, reduction in the awkwardness and improvement in speed and accuracy of the entire upper extremity movements were observed in the present study.…”

“…The human mirror neuron response is signifi cantly greater for taskbased movements. 12,13 Task-specific training, which is a goal-directed repetitive practice of motor tasks, has been found to enhance positive cortical reorganization and motor recovery in poststroke patients. [14][15][16] Out of various motor therapies, MT proved to be potentially benefi cial in poststroke hemiparesis.…”