Observation-based learning for brain-machine interfaces.
Canonically, 'mirror neurons' are cells in area F5 of the ventral premotor cortex that are active during both observation and execution of goal-directed movements. Recently, cells with similar properties have been observed in a number of other areas in the motor system, including the primary motor cortex. Mirror neurons are a part of a system whose function is thought to involve the prediction and interpretation of the sensory consequences of our own actions as well as the actions of others. Mirror-like responses are relevant to the development of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) because they provide a robust way to map neural activity to behavior, and because they represent high-level information about goals and intentions that may have utility in future BMI applications.
Tkach
Dennis
D
Committee on Computational Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Reimer
Jake
J
Hatsopoulos
Nicholas G
NG
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*