Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Lateralization

Lateralization

Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.

Cerebral Hemispheres

Cerebral Hemispheres

The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...

Lobes of the Cerebrum

Lobes of the Cerebrum

The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Theta band activity during event-file retrieval is influenced by stimulus salience in the preceding action episode.

Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior·2026

Same author

Bioenergetic dysregulation in the basal ganglia and cerebellum of patients with premanifest and manifest Huntington's disease.

Neurobiology of disease·2026

Same author

Altered neurodevelopmental trajectories of brain structure in Tourette syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Same author

Distinct Brain Drivers and Shared Cerebello-Cortical Input in ADCY5 and SGCE Hyperkinetic Movements.

Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society·2026

Same author

Metabolic and Volumetric Alterations in the Basal Ganglia and the Cerebellum in Dopa-Responsive Dystonia in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic GCH1 Mutation Carriers.

Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society·2026

Same author

[The unmet need for psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care for refugees - A local pilot survey in Lübeck].

Psychiatrische Praxis·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

An Experiment Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Robot-Assisted Multi-Joint Pointing Movements of the Lower Limb

An Experiment Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Robot-Assisted Multi-Joint Pointing Movements of the Lower Limb

Published on: June 7, 2024

Right hemisphere contributions to imitation tasks.

Katja Biermann-Ruben¹, Klaus Kessler, Melanie Jonas

¹Department of Neurology, MEG Laboratory, Düsseldorf University Hospital, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany. K.Biermann-Ruben@uni-duesseldorf.de

The European Journal of Neuroscience

|April 3, 2008

Summary

Humans process biological movements faster than non-biological ones, likely due to mirror neuron system activation. This study pinpoints specific brain regions and timing for this faster action observation-execution matching.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Published on: July 31, 2019

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Published on: November 16, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

An Experiment Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Robot-Assisted Multi-Joint Pointing Movements of the Lower Limb

An Experiment Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Robot-Assisted Multi-Joint Pointing Movements of the Lower Limb

Published on: June 7, 2024

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Published on: July 31, 2019

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Published on: November 16, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Motor Control

Background:

Humans exhibit faster reaction times when imitating biological movements compared to non-biological ones.
This behavioral advantage is often linked to the mirror neuron system, but the specific cortical areas and timing remain unclear.
Understanding these neural mechanisms is crucial for comprehending action observation-execution matching.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify the specific cortical areas and their activation timing responsible for the behavioral advantage in imitating biological movements.
To investigate the role of the mirror neuron system in differentiating between biological and non-biological movement observation.
To explore the hemispheric dominance in action observation-execution matching.

Main Methods:

Whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) was employed to record neuronal responses.
Participants performed imitation and observation tasks involving biological finger movements and non-biological dot movements.
Analysis focused on evoked magnetic fields to determine reaction times and neural activation patterns.

Main Results:

Consistent with previous studies, reaction times were significantly faster for biological movements.
Stronger and earlier activation was observed in the left temporo-occipital cortex, right superior temporal area, and right ventral motor/premotor area for biological movements.
These findings suggest a specific neural network mediating the observed behavioral advantage.

Conclusions:

The right temporo-frontal hemisphere plays a predominant role in action observation-execution matching for intransitive movements.
Specific cortical areas, including the left temporo-occipital cortex and right superior temporal/ventral motor areas, are critical for the faster processing of biological movements.
This research provides new insights into the neural timing and localization of the mirror neuron system's function in action imitation.