Motor activation prior to observation of a predicted movement.
Previous research has shown that some of the same motor regions are activated both when performing and when observing a movement. Here we demonstrate in human subjects that such motor activity also occurs prior to observing someone else's action. This suggests that the mere knowledge of an upcoming movement is sufficient to excite one's own motor system, enabling people to anticipate, rather than react to, others' actions.
Kilner
James M
JM
Institut des Sciences Cognitives, CNRS, 67 Boulevard Pinel, 69675 Bron, France.
Vargas
Claudia
C
Duval
Sylvie
S
Blakemore
Sarah-Jayne
SJ
Sirigu
Angela
A
D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*