The human mirror neuron system and embodied representations.
Mirror neurons are defined as neurons in the monkey cortex which respond to goal oriented actions, whether the behavior is self-generated or produced by another. Here we briefly review this literature and consider evidence from behavioral, neuropsychological, and brain imaging studies for a similar mirror neuron system in humans. Furthermore, we review functions of this system related to action comprehension and motor imagery, as well as evidence for speculations on the system's ties with conceptual knowledge and language.
Aziz-Zadeh
Lisa
L
Brain and Creativity Institute, Department of Occupational Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. lisa.azizzadeh@usc.edu
Ivry
Richard B
RB
D000818:Animals; D000882:Haplorhini / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D012660:Semantics; D013045:Species Specificity; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology