Abstract
An observation/execution matching system for walking has not been assessed yet. The present fMRI study was aimed at assessing whether, as for object-directed actions, an observation/execution matching system is active for walking and whether the spatial context of walking (open or narrow space) recruits different neural correlates. Two experimental conditions were employed. In the execution condition, while being scanned, participants performed walking on a rolling cylinder located just outside the scanner. The same action was performed also while observing a video presenting either an open space (a country field) or a narrow space (a corridor). In the observation condition, participants observed a video presenting an individual walking on the same cylinder on which the actual action was executed, the open space video and the narrow space video, respectively. Results showed common bilateral activations in the dorsal premotor/supplementary motor areas and in the posterior parietal lobe for both execution and observation of walking, thus supporting a matching system for this action. Moreover, specific sectors of the occipital-temporal cortex and the middle temporal gyrus were consistently active when processing a narrow space versus an open one, thus suggesting their involvement in the visuo-motor transformation required when walking in a narrow space. We forward that the present findings may have implications for rehabilitation of gait and sport training.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1502 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | OCT |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
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Keywords
- FMRI
- Mirror neuron system
- Rehabilitation
- Space coding
- Walking
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
Walking indoors, walking outdoors : An fMRI study. / Dalla Volta, Riccardo; Fasano, Fabrizio; Cerasa, Antonio; Mangone, Graziella; Quattrone, Aldo; Buccino, Giovanni.
In: Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 6, No. OCT, 1502, 2015.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Walking indoors, walking outdoors
T2 - An fMRI study
AU - Dalla Volta, Riccardo
AU - Fasano, Fabrizio
AU - Cerasa, Antonio
AU - Mangone, Graziella
AU - Quattrone, Aldo
AU - Buccino, Giovanni
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - An observation/execution matching system for walking has not been assessed yet. The present fMRI study was aimed at assessing whether, as for object-directed actions, an observation/execution matching system is active for walking and whether the spatial context of walking (open or narrow space) recruits different neural correlates. Two experimental conditions were employed. In the execution condition, while being scanned, participants performed walking on a rolling cylinder located just outside the scanner. The same action was performed also while observing a video presenting either an open space (a country field) or a narrow space (a corridor). In the observation condition, participants observed a video presenting an individual walking on the same cylinder on which the actual action was executed, the open space video and the narrow space video, respectively. Results showed common bilateral activations in the dorsal premotor/supplementary motor areas and in the posterior parietal lobe for both execution and observation of walking, thus supporting a matching system for this action. Moreover, specific sectors of the occipital-temporal cortex and the middle temporal gyrus were consistently active when processing a narrow space versus an open one, thus suggesting their involvement in the visuo-motor transformation required when walking in a narrow space. We forward that the present findings may have implications for rehabilitation of gait and sport training.
AB - An observation/execution matching system for walking has not been assessed yet. The present fMRI study was aimed at assessing whether, as for object-directed actions, an observation/execution matching system is active for walking and whether the spatial context of walking (open or narrow space) recruits different neural correlates. Two experimental conditions were employed. In the execution condition, while being scanned, participants performed walking on a rolling cylinder located just outside the scanner. The same action was performed also while observing a video presenting either an open space (a country field) or a narrow space (a corridor). In the observation condition, participants observed a video presenting an individual walking on the same cylinder on which the actual action was executed, the open space video and the narrow space video, respectively. Results showed common bilateral activations in the dorsal premotor/supplementary motor areas and in the posterior parietal lobe for both execution and observation of walking, thus supporting a matching system for this action. Moreover, specific sectors of the occipital-temporal cortex and the middle temporal gyrus were consistently active when processing a narrow space versus an open one, thus suggesting their involvement in the visuo-motor transformation required when walking in a narrow space. We forward that the present findings may have implications for rehabilitation of gait and sport training.
KW - FMRI
KW - Mirror neuron system
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - Space coding
KW - Walking
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84947239289&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84947239289&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01502
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01502
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84947239289
VL - 6
JO - Frontiers in Psychology
JF - Frontiers in Psychology
SN - 1664-1078
IS - OCT
M1 - 1502
ER -