TY - JOUR
T1 - Neural circuits underlying imitation learning of hand actions
T2 - An event-related fMRI study
AU - Buccino, Giovanni
AU - Vogt, Stefan
AU - Ritzl, Afra
AU - Fink, Gereon R.
AU - Zilles, Karl
AU - Freund, Hans Joachim
AU - Rizzolatti, Giacomo
PY - 2004/4/22
Y1 - 2004/4/22
N2 - The neural bases of imitation learning are virtually unknown. In the present study, we addressed this issue using an event-related fMRI paradigm. Musically naive participants were scanned during four events: (1) observation of guitar chords played by a guitarist, (2) a pause following model observation, (3) execution of the observed chords, and (4) rest. The results showed that the basic circuit underlying imitation learning consists of the inferior parietal lobule and the posterior part of the inferior frontal gyrus plus the adjacent premotor cortex (mirror neuron circuit). This circuit, known to be involved in action understanding, starts to be active during the observation of the guitar chords. During pause, the middle frontal gyrus (area 46) plus structures involved in motor preparation (dorsal premotor cortex, superior parietal lobule, rostral mesial areas) also become active. Given the functional properties of area 46, a model of imitation learning is proposed based on interactions between this area and the mirror neuron system.
AB - The neural bases of imitation learning are virtually unknown. In the present study, we addressed this issue using an event-related fMRI paradigm. Musically naive participants were scanned during four events: (1) observation of guitar chords played by a guitarist, (2) a pause following model observation, (3) execution of the observed chords, and (4) rest. The results showed that the basic circuit underlying imitation learning consists of the inferior parietal lobule and the posterior part of the inferior frontal gyrus plus the adjacent premotor cortex (mirror neuron circuit). This circuit, known to be involved in action understanding, starts to be active during the observation of the guitar chords. During pause, the middle frontal gyrus (area 46) plus structures involved in motor preparation (dorsal premotor cortex, superior parietal lobule, rostral mesial areas) also become active. Given the functional properties of area 46, a model of imitation learning is proposed based on interactions between this area and the mirror neuron system.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0896-6273(04)00181-3
DO - 10.1016/S0896-6273(04)00181-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 15091346
AN - SCOPUS:4444236365
VL - 42
SP - 323
EP - 334
JO - Neuron
JF - Neuron
SN - 0896-6273
IS - 2
ER -