Is the human mirror neuron system plastic? Evidence from a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

Mehta, Urvakhsh Meherwan; Waghmare, Avinash; Thirthalli, Jagadisha; Venkatasubramanian, Ganesan; Gangadhar, Bangalore N.

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2015.06.014

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…These changes are not only restricted to the site of stimulation but also observed in a widespread cortical and subcortical network (26, 27). The use of HF-rTMS (20 Hz) to adaptively modulate properties of the MNS in humans has been reported in typically developing individuals (16).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied to the Parietal Cortex for Low-Functioning Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series

et al. 2019

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Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and efficacious technique to stimulate specific areas of cortical dysfunction in several neuropsychiatric diseases; however, it is not known whether high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) over the left inferior parietal lobule, in low functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), improves core symptoms. Method: Eleven low-functioning children with ASD completed two separate HF-rTMS treatment courses, 6 weeks apart. Each treatment course involved five 5-s trains at 20 Hz, with 10-min inter-train intervals, on left inferior parietal lobule each consecutive weekday for a 3-week period (15 treatments per course). Subjects were assessed at five time points: immediately before and after the first HF-rTMS course, immediately before and after the second HF-rTMS course, and 6 weeks after the second rTMS treatment course. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using the Verbal Behavior Assessment Scale (VerBAS) and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). The latter test consists of four subtest scales: Language, Sociability, Sensory, and Behavior. In addition, daily treatment logbooks completed by parents were considered as one of the outcome measures. Results: Participants showed a significant reduction in language- and social-related symptoms measured by ATEC from pretreatment to the 6-week follow-up after the second treatment course. Moreover, some possible improvements in imitation and cognition were reported by caregivers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HF-rTMS over the left parietal cortex might improve core deficits in low-functioning children with ASD.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have suggested that low-frequency rTMS (<1 Hz) decreases cortical excitability, whereas HF-rTMS (>5 Hz) increases it (14, 15). Neuroenhancement of MNS in typically developing individuals has been reported using high-frequency (20 Hz) rTMS (HF-rTMS) (16).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied to the Parietal Cortex for Low-Functioning Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series

et al. 2019

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“…Previously, some have argued that MNS might have a plastic feature ( 130 ), meaning that after receiving treatment, disruptions in this system might at least partially resolve. However, a study by Mitra et al ( 131 ) found that following 8 weeks of antipsychotic treatment, no significant changes took place in the MNA of patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mirror mechanism in schizophrenia: A systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis

et al. 2022

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BackgroundMirror neuron system (MNS) consists of visuomotor neurons that are responsible for the mirror neuron activity (MNA), meaning that each time an individual observes another individual performing an action, these neurons encode that action, and are activated in the observer's cortical motor system. Previous studies report its malfunction in autism, opening doors to investigate the underlying pathophysiology of the disorder in a more elaborate way and coming up with new rehabilitation methods. The study of MNA function in schizophrenia patients has not been as frequent and conclusive as in autism. In this research, we aimed to evaluate the functional integrity of MNA and the microstructural integrity of MNS in schizophrenia patients.MethodsWe included case-control studies that have evaluated MNA in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls using a variety of objective assessment tools. In August 2022, we searched Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science for eligible studies. We used an adapted version of the NIH Quality Assessment of Case-Control Studies tool to assess the quality of the included studies. Evidence was analyzed using vote counting methods of the direction of the effect and was tested statistically using the Sign test. Certainty of evidence was assessed using CERQual.ResultsWe included 32 studies for the analysis. Statistical tests revealed decreased MNA (p = 0.002) in schizophrenia patients. The certainty of the evidence was judged to be moderate. Investigations of heterogeneity revealed a possible relationship between the age and the positive symptoms of participants in the included studies and the direction of the observed effect.DiscussionThis finding contributes to gaining a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of the disorder by revealing its possible relation to some of the symptoms in schizophrenia patients, while also highlighting a new commonality with autism.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO identifier: CRD42021236453.

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“…如前所述, 引发运动共振的对象是动作, 所以当观察到的对象不是动作的时候运动共振就不应该发生 [5] , 如几何图形的位移 [43] . 最近的一个实验中, 研究人员用高频经颅磁刺激技术(high-frequency repetitive transcranial stimulation, HF-rTMS)让被试的镜像神经元系统预先激活起来, 然后分别观察有意图的动作和运动的物体, 结果发现被试在观察动作过程中这种激活增加了, 但观察运动的物体对这一激活则没有影响 [44] . 这一经典的双分离结果支持了运动共振能够对动作和非动作产生不同的反应.…”

Section: 运动共振区分动作与非动作unclassified

Can we have direct access to other minds by “motor resonance”? A critical reassessment

Zhu¹,

Chen²,

Wang³

et al. 2017

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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Is the human mirror neuron system plastic? Evidence from a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

Cited by 13 publications

References 71 publications

High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied to the Parietal Cortex for Low-Functioning Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series

High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied to the Parietal Cortex for Low-Functioning Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series

The mirror mechanism in schizophrenia: A systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis

Can we have direct access to other minds by “motor resonance”? A critical reassessment

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Is the human mirror neuron system plastic? Evidence from a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

Cited by 13 publications

References 71 publications

High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied to the Parietal Cortex for Low-Functioning Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series

High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied to the Parietal Cortex for Low-Functioning Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series

The mirror mechanism in schizophrenia: A systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis

Can we have direct access to other minds by &ldquo;motor resonance&rdquo;? A critical reassessment

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Can we have direct access to other minds by “motor resonance”? A critical reassessment