Mirror neuron activation is associated with facial emotion processing.
Theoretical accounts suggest that mirror neurons play a crucial role in social cognition. The current study used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the association between mirror neuron activation and facial emotion processing, a fundamental aspect of social cognition, among healthy adults (n=20). Facial emotion processing of static (but not dynamic) images correlated significantly with an enhanced motor response, proposed to reflect mirror neuron activation. These correlations did not appear to reflect general facial processing or pattern recognition, and provide support to current theoretical accounts linking the mirror neuron system to aspects of social cognition. We discuss the mechanism by which mirror neurons might facilitate facial emotion recognition.
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Monash University and the Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. peter.enticott@med.monash.edu.au
Peter G
PG
Enticott
Patrick J
PJ
Johnston
Sally E
SE
Herring
Kate E
KE
Hoy
Paul B
PB
Fitzgerald
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005145:Face; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation