title: Evidence for fast, low-level motor resonance to action observation: an MEG study.
abstract: Lateralized magnetic fields were recorded from 12 subjects using a 151 channel magnetoencephalography (MEG) system to investigate temporal and functional properties of motor activation to the observation of goal-directed hand movements by a virtual actor. Observation of left and right hand movements generated a neuromagnetic lateralized readiness field (LRF) over contralateral motor cortex. The early onset of the LRF and the fact that the evoked component was insensitive to the correctness of the observed action suggest the operation of a fast and automatic form of motor resonance that may precede higher levels of action understanding.
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. h.vanschie@nici.ru.nl
authors.forename: Hein T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: van Schie
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koelewijn
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oostenveld
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maris
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bekkering
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D019370:Observation; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult