The Mirror Neuron System

• Published in: Archives of neurology (Chicago) Vol. 66; no. 5; pp. 557 - 560
• Main Authors: Cattaneo, Luigi, Rizzolatti, Giacomo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL American Medical Association 01.05.2009
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Cerebral Cortex - anatomy & histology; Cerebral Cortex - physiology; Empathy; Frontal Lobe - anatomy & histology; Frontal Lobe - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human subjects; Humans; Imitative Behavior - physiology; Isolated neuron and nerve. Neuroglia; Medical sciences; Motor ability; Movement - physiology; Nerve Net - anatomy & histology; Nerve Net - physiology; Neurology; Neurons; Neurons - physiology; Neurosciences; Parietal Lobe - anatomy & histology; Parietal Lobe - physiology; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Mirror; Nervous system diseases; Neuron
• ISSN: 0003-9942; 2168-6149; 1538-3687; 2168-6157
• DOI: 10.1001/archneurol.2009.41

Mirror neurons are a class of neurons, originally discovered in the premotor cortex of monkeys, that discharge both when individuals perform a given motor act and when they observe others perform that same motor act. Ample evidence demonstrates the existence of a cortical network with the properties of mirror neurons (mirror system) in humans. The human mirror system is involved in understanding others' actions and their intentions behind them, and it underlies mechanisms of observational learning. Herein, we will discuss the clinical implications of the mirror system.Arch Neurol. 2009;66(5):557-560-->