title: Neural correlates of the perception of goal-directed action in infants.
abstract: We investigated the neural correlates of the perception of human goal-directed action by 8-month-old infants. Infants viewed video loops of complete and incomplete actions, which they could discriminate according to our pilot study, while we recorded their electrophysiological brain activity. Analysis of bursts of gamma-band oscillations resulting from passive viewing of these stimuli indicated increased gamma-band activity over left frontal regions when viewing incomplete actions as compared with complete actions. These results suggest that by 8 months infants are sensitive to the disruption of perceived goal-directed actions.
authors.affiliation: Neurocognition and Development Group, Center for Advanced Studies, University of Leipzig, Germany. reid@rz.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Csibra
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belsky
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012938:Social Perception; D013997:Time Factors; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods