Actions or hand-object interactions? Human inferior frontal cortex and action observation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation
Published on: December 31, 2013
Scott H Johnson-Frey1, Farah R Maloof, Roger Newman-Norlund
1Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. scott.h.johnson@dartmouth.edu
Abstract:
Cells in macaque ventral premotor cortex (area F5c) respond to observation or production of specific hand-object interactions. Studies in humans associate the left inferior frontal gyrus, including putative F5 homolog pars opercularis, with observing hand actions. Are these responses related to the realized goal of a prehensile action or to the observation of dynamic hand movements? Rapid, event-related fMRI was used to address this question. Subjects watched static pictures of the same objects being grasped or touched while performing a 1-back orienting task. In all 17 subjects, bilateral inferior frontal cortex was differentially activated in response to realized goals of observed prehensile actions. Bilaterally, precentral gyrus was most frequently activated (82%) followed by pars triangularis (73%) and pars opercularis (65%).
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Somatosensation
Actor-Observer Effect
Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals

