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Effects of action observation on corticospinal excitability: muscle specificity, direction, and timing of the mirror response

Naish, Katherine R.; Houston-Price, Carmel; Bremner, Andrew J.; Holmes, Nicholas P.

Authors

Katherine R. Naish

Carmel Houston-Price

Andrew J. Bremner

Nicholas P. Holmes



Abstract

Many human behaviours and pathologies have been attributed to the putative mirror neuron system, a neural system that is active during both the observation and execution of actions. While there are now a very large number of papers on the mirror neuron system, variations in the methods and analyses employed by researchers mean that the basic characteristics of the mirror response are not clear. This review focuses on three important aspects of the mirror response, as measured by modulations in corticospinal excitability: (1) muscle specificity; (2) direction; and (3) timing of modulation. We focus mainly on electromyographic (EMG) data gathered following single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), because this method provides precise information regarding these three aspects of the response. Data from paired-pulse TMS paradigms and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) are also considered when we discuss the possible mechanisms underlying the mirror response. In this systematic review of the literature, we examine the findings of 85 TMS and PNS studies of the human mirror response, and consider the limitations and advantages of the different methodological approaches these have adopted in relation to discrepancies between their findings. We conclude by proposing a testable model of how action observation modulates corticospinal excitability in humans. Specifically, we propose that action observation elicits an early, non-specific facilitation of corticospinal excitability (at around 90 ms from action onset), followed by a later modulation of activity specific to the muscles involved in the observed action (from around 200 ms). Testing this model will greatly advance our understanding of the mirror mechanism and provide a more stable grounding on which to base inferences about its role in human behaviour.

Citation

Naish, K. R., Houston-Price, C., Bremner, A. J., & Holmes, N. P. (2014). Effects of action observation on corticospinal excitability: muscle specificity, direction, and timing of the mirror response. Neuropsychologia, 64, 331-348. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.09.034

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 19, 2014
Publication Date 2014-11
Deposit Date Sep 11, 2017
Electronic ISSN 1873-3514
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 64
Pages 331-348
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.09.034
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1112575
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002839321400339
PMID 25281883
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