The plasticity of the mirror system: how reward learning modulates cortical motor simulation of others

Neuropsychologia
Irene Trilla GrosBhismadev Chakrabarti

Abstract

Cortical motor simulation supports the understanding of others' actions and intentions. This mechanism is thought to rely on the mirror neuron system (MNS), a brain network that is active both during action execution and observation. Indirect evidence suggests that (alpha/beta) mu suppression, an electroencephalographic (EEG) index of MNS activity, is modulated by reward. In this study we aimed to test the plasticity of the MNS by directly investigating the link between (alpha/beta) mu suppression and reward. 40 individuals from a general population sample took part in an evaluative conditioning experiment, where different neutral faces were associated with high or low reward values. In the test phase, EEG was recorded while participants viewed videoclips of happy expressions made by the conditioned faces. Alpha/beta mu suppression (identified using event-related desynchronisation of specific independent components) in response to rewarding faces was found to be greater than for non-rewarding faces. This result provides a mechanistic insight into the plasticity of the MNS and, more generally, into the role of reward in modulating physiological responses linked to empathy.

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Citations

Aug 19, 2015·Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research·Maria Serena PanasitiBhismadev Chakrabarti
Jun 5, 2016·Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience·Holly RaysonLynne Murray
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Jun 15, 2017·The European Journal of Neuroscience·Chun-Ting HsuBhismadev Chakrabarti
Jul 1, 2020·Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·Irene TrillaIsabel Dziobek
Nov 20, 2016·Frontiers in Psychology·Giuseppina PorcielloIlaria Bufalari
Feb 26, 2019·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Ozge KarakaleIan J Kirk
Jun 4, 2019·Frontiers in Psychiatry·Janina NeufeldBhismadev Chakrabarti
Oct 20, 2018·Mind & Language·Harry FarmerAntonia F de C Hamilton

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCA

Software Mentioned

EEGLAB
Brain Vision Recorder
DIPFIT2
BrainVision Analyzer

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