Reference code: | PT/FB/BL-2006-059.03 |
Location: | Arquivo PCA - Pasta 22/2006
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Title:
| Probing the human mirror neuron system using EEG: action observation, error monitoring and empathy
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Publication year: | 2010
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URL:
| http://www.bial.com/simposio/Livro_de_Actas_8_Simposio.pdf
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Abstract/Results: | ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVES:
We aim to examine the individual and sex differences in EEG correlates of action observation and error monitoring and to investigate whether our measures are congruent to what has been suggested by some to be a human “mirror neuron system”. Our measures are mu desynchronisation and the readiness potentials (RPs) during action execution and observation, and the error-related negativity (ERN) triggered by the execution and observation of errors.
METHOD:
Expt 1: We tested 48 participants using an experimental paradigm where the participant both performed simple button press actions and observed the experimenter make such actions. Participants also completed established social cognition scales (EQ, SQ, IRI).
Expt 2: We tested 43 participants performing a demanding Go/No-Go task and observing the experimenter performing the task. Participants also completed empathy-related scales as above.
RESULTS:
In Expt 1, we found sex differences for both mu desynchronisation and RPs. However, the sex differences were in opposing directions with a female superiority for the induced mu measure and a male superiority for the evoked RP measure. Furthermore, neither measure correlated with social cognition scales and the measures did not correlate with each other.
Preliminary analysis of Expt 2 indicates that the magnitude and time course of the ERN to self-performed errors in equivalent for males and females. The ERN for observed errors appears to emerge later than that to performed errors and to be enhanced in females compared with males.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our report for Expt 1 has been accepted for publication and concludes that EEG measures of simple motoric mirroring can reveal both male and female superiorities and that these measures need not correlate with measures of social cognition. We speculate that our results may be indicative of two dissociable motoric mirroring systems. Our analysis of Expt 2 indicates that we have replicated work in the literature that suggests a mirror system for response monitoring and have measured a sex difference for it.
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Accessibility: | Document does not exist in file
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Language:
| eng
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Author:
| Levy, J.
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Secondary author(s):
| Holmes, A., Slade, L., Silas, J., Nielsen, M.
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Document type:
| Conference abstract
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Number of reproductions:
| 1
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Reference:
| Levy, J., Holmes, A., Slade, L., Silas, J., & Nielsen, M. (2010). Probing the human mirror neuron system using EEG: action observation, error monitoring and empathy. In Aquém e além do cérebro. Behind and beyond the brain. Proceedings of the 8th Symposium of Fundação Bial (p. 212). Porto: Fundação Bial.
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Indexed document: | No
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Keywords: | Mirror neurons / Electroencephalogram (EEG) / Action observation
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Probing the human mirror neuron system using EEG: action observation, error monitoring and empathy |