The mirror neuron system is more active during complementary compared with imitative action.
We assessed the role of the human mirror neuron system (MNS) in complementary actions using functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants prepared to execute imitative or complementary actions. The BOLD signal in the right inferior frontal gyrus and bilateral inferior parietal lobes was greater during preparation of complementary than during imitative actions, suggesting that the MNS may be essential in dynamically coupling action observation to action execution.
Newman-Norlund
Roger D
RD
Nijmegen Institute for Cognition and Information, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherland. rogern@nici.ru.nl
van Schie
Hein T
HT
van Zuijlen
Alexander M J
AM
Bekkering
Harold
H
D003463:Cues; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen