scholarly journals Action observation treatment: a novel tool in neurorehabilitation

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1644) ◽  
pp. 20130185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Buccino
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Neurophysiological Mechanism ◽  
Motor Functions ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Orthopaedic Patients ◽  
Matching Mechanism

This review focuses on a novel rehabilitation approach known as action observation treatment (AOT). It is now a well-accepted notion in neurophysiology that the observation of actions performed by others activates in the perceiver the same neural structures responsible for the actual execution of those same actions. Areas endowed with this action observation–action execution matching mechanism are defined as the mirror neuron system. AOT exploits this neurophysiological mechanism for the recovery of motor impairment. During one typical session, patients observe a daily action and afterwards execute it in context. So far, this approach has been successfully applied in the rehabilitation of upper limb motor functions in chronic stroke patients, in motor recovery of Parkinson's disease patients, including those presenting with freezing of gait, and in children with cerebral palsy. Interestingly, this approach also improved lower limb motor functions in post-surgical orthopaedic patients. AOT is well grounded in basic neuroscience, thus representing a valid model of translational medicine in the field of neurorehabilitation. Moreover, the results concerning its effectiveness have been collected in randomized controlled studies, thus being an example of evidence-based clinical practice.

scholarly journals The Activation of the Mirror Neuron System during Action Observation and Action Execution with Mirror Visual Feedback in Stroke: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack J. Q. Zhang ◽  
Kenneth N. K. Fong ◽  
Nandana Welage ◽  
Karen P. Y. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Mu Suppression ◽  
Mirror Visual Feedback

Objective. To evaluate the concurrent and training effects of action observation (AO) and action execution with mirror visual feedback (MVF) on the activation of the mirror neuron system (MNS) and its relationship with the activation of the motor cortex in stroke individuals. Methods. A literature search using CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline, Web of Science, and SCOPUS to find relevant studies was performed. Results. A total of 19 articles were included. Two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies reported that MVF could activate the ipsilesional primary motor cortex as well as the MNS in stroke individuals, whereas two other fMRI studies found that the MNS was not activated by MVF in stroke individuals. Two clinical trials reported that long-term action execution with MVF induced a shift of activation toward the ipsilesional hemisphere. Five fMRI studies showed that AO activated the MNS, of which, three found the activation of movement-related areas. Five electroencephalography (EEG) studies demonstrated that AO or MVF enhanced mu suppression over the sensorimotor cortex. Conclusions. MVF may contribute to stroke recovery by revising the interhemispheric imbalance caused by stroke due to the activation of the MNS. AO may also promote motor relearning in stroke individuals by activating the MNS and motor cortex.

scholarly journals A proposed EEG study: the role of object affordance during action observation

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Elisabeth Hailperin-Lausch
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Incongruent Condition ◽  
Mu Rhythm ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Eeg Data ◽  
Object Affordance ◽  
Electroencephalogram Eeg

Over the past two decades, research on the human mirror neuron system (MNS) has flourished. According to this model, there is substantial evidence that both action execution and action observation activate the motor system. However, to date, few studies have attempted to examine the role that object affordance may have during action observation. The proposed study attempts to assess this and other issues by having participants watch videos of an actor making goal-directed reaches to a common household object. In the congruent condition, the actor makes a reach and grasps the handle of a mug. In the affordance incongruent condition, the actor makes a reach but grasps the side of the mug opposite from the handle. Electroencephalogram (EEG) will be recorded throughout participant viewing and the EEG data will be decomposed into frequency bands using a Morlet wavelet analysis. The mu rhythm (8-13 Hz) will be of particular interest. Electrode sites of interest include sites over the central parietal areas as well as frontal sites. It is hoped that the proposed study will provide insight into the role of object affordance during action observation.

scholarly journals Do gaze behaviours during action observation predict interpersonal motor resonance?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soukayna Bekkali ◽  
George J Youssef ◽  
Peter H Donaldson ◽  
Jason He ◽  
Michael Do ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Evoked Potentials ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Motor Resonance ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
First Dorsal Interosseous Muscle ◽  
Dorsal Interosseous Muscle

Abstract Interpersonal motor resonance (IMR) is a common putative index of the mirror neuron system (MNS), a network containing specialised cells that fire during both action execution and observation. Visual content inputs to the MNS, however, it is unclear whether visual behaviours mediate the putative MNS response. We aimed to examine gaze effects on IMR during action observation. Neurotypical adults (N = 99; 60 female) underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyography, and eye-tracking during the observation of videos of actors performing grasping actions. IMR was measured as a percentage change in motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of the first dorsal interosseous muscle during action observation relative to baseline. MEP facilitation was observed during action observation, indicating IMR (65.43%, SE = 11.26%, P < 0.001). Fixations occurring in biologically relevant areas (face/hand/arm) yielded significantly stronger IMR (81.03%, SE = 14.15%) than non-biological areas (63.92%, SE = 14.60, P = 0.012). This effect, however, was only evident in the first of four experimental blocks. Our results suggest that gaze fixation can modulate IMR, but this may be affected by the salience and novelty of the observed action. These findings have important methodological implications for future studies in both clinical and healthy populations.

scholarly journals Functional Correlates of Action Observation of Gait in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Giulia Bommarito ◽  
Martina Putzolu ◽  
Laura Avanzino ◽  
Carola Cosentino ◽  
Alessandro Botta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Human Gait ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Gait Performance

Background. Action observation (AO) relies on the mirror neuron system (MNS) and has been proposed as a rehabilitation tool in Parkinson’s disease (PD), in particular for gait disorder such as freezing of gait (FOG). In this study, we aimed to explore the brain functional correlates of the observation of human gait in PD patients with (FOG+) and without (FOG-) FOG and to investigate a possible relationship between AO-induced brain activation and gait performance. Methods. Fifty-four participants were enrolled in the study (15 PD FOG+; 18 PD FOG-; 21 healthy subjects (HS)) which consisted of two tasks in two separate days: (i) gait assessment and (ii) task-fMRI during AO of gait. Differences between patients with PD (FOG+ and FOG-) and HS were assessed at the level of behavioral and functional analysis. Results. Gait parameters, including gait velocity, stride length, and their coefficients of variability (CV), were different in PD patients compared to HS, whereas gait performance was similar between FOG+ and FOG-. The PD group, compared to HS, presented reduced functional activation in the frontal, cingulum, and parietooccipital regions. Reduced activity was more pronounced in the FOG+ group, compared to both HS and FOG- groups. Gait variability positively correlated with precuneus neural activity in the FOG+ group. Discussion. Patients with PD present a reduced functional activity during AO of gait, especially if FOG+. A baseline knowledge of the neural correlates of AO of gait in the clinical routine “on” status would help for the design of future AO rehabilitative interventions.

scholarly journals Favouritism in the motor system: social interaction modulates action simulation

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 758-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Kourtis ◽  
Natalie Sebanz ◽  
Günther Knoblich
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Action Simulation ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
The Social ◽  
Third Person ◽  
Motor Areas

The ability to anticipate others' actions is crucial for social interaction. It has been shown that this ability relies on motor areas of the human brain that are not only active during action execution and action observation, but also during anticipation of another person's action. Recording electroencephalograms during a triadic social interaction, we assessed whether activation of motor areas pertaining to the human mirror-neuron system prior to action observation depends on the social relationship between the actor and the observer. Anticipatory motor activation was stronger when participants expected an interaction partner to perform a particular action than when they anticipated that the same action would be performed by a third person they did not interact with. These results demonstrate that social interaction modulates action simulation.

scholarly journals Mu Suppression during Anticipation of Predictable Actions Performed by Other Agents

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manon Krol ◽  
Dennis Schutter ◽  
Tjeerd Jellema
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Mu Suppression ◽  
Baseline Activity ◽  
Real Life Setting ◽  
Anticipatory Activity

The mirror neuron system (MNS) becomes active during action execution and action observation, which is presumably reflected by reductions in mu (8-13 Hz) activity in the electroencephalogram (EEG) over the sensorimotor cortex. Although the existence of this system is generally accepted, its function is still debated. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of the MNS in anticipating others’ actions by examining whether the MNS was activated – indexed by mu power suppression - prior to the onset of observed actions when the onset and type of action could be predicted on the basis of environmental cues. Healthy young adults performed and observed cued grasping and placing actions in a card game, while the predictability of the observed actions was manipulated using a fixed set of rules. All actions were performed in a real-life setting. Significant mu suppression, relative to within-trial baseline activity, was found during both action execution and observation. In addition, significant mu suppression was found prior to the onset of executed actions (preparatory motor activity), and, crucially, also prior to observed actions that were predictable. No anticipatory mu reductions were found prior to unpredictable observed actions. These results suggest top-down modulation of MNS activity by conceptual knowledge. This is the first study to demonstrate mu suppression prior to action onset – possibly reflecting MNS anticipatory activity - by explicitly manipulating predictability in a real-life setting.

scholarly journals Predictive motor activation during action observation in human infants

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 769-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Southgate ◽  
Mark H. Johnson ◽  
Tamsin Osborne ◽  
Gergely Csibra
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Motor Activation ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Internal Motor ◽  
The Individual

Certain regions of the human brain are activated both during action execution and action observation. This so-called ‘mirror neuron system’ has been proposed to enable an observer to understand an action through a process of internal motor simulation. Although there has been much speculation about the existence of such a system from early in life, to date there is little direct evidence that young infants recruit brain areas involved in action production during action observation. To address this question, we identified the individual frequency range in which sensorimotor alpha-band activity was attenuated in nine-month-old infants' electroencephalographs (EEGs) during elicited reaching for objects, and measured whether activity in this frequency range was also modulated by observing others' actions. We found that observing a grasping action resulted in motor activation in the infant brain, but that this activity began prior to observation of the action, once it could be anticipated. These results demonstrate not only that infants, like adults, display overlapping neural activity during execution and observation of actions, but that this activation, rather than being directly induced by the visual input, is driven by infants' understanding of a forthcoming action. These results provide support for theories implicating the motor system in action prediction.

Mirror-neuron system recruitment by action observation: Effects of focal brain damage on mu suppression

NeuroImage ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 87 ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvi Frenkel-Toledo ◽  
Shlomo Bentin ◽  
Anat Perry ◽  
Dario G. Liebermann ◽  
Nachum Soroker
Keyword(s):  
Brain Damage ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Mu Suppression

scholarly journals fMRI Adaptation between Action Observation and Action Execution Reveals Cortical Areas with Mirror Neuron Properties in Human BA 44/45

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan de la Rosa ◽  
Frieder L. Schillinger ◽  
Heinrich H. Bülthoff ◽  
Johannes Schultz ◽  
Kamil Uludag
Keyword(s):  
Action Observation ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Cortical Areas ◽  
Fmri Adaptation
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