Execution-dependent modulation of corticospinal excitability during action observation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation
Published on: December 31, 2013
Masanori Sakamoto1, Tetsuro Muraoka, Nobuaki Mizuguchi
1Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-1192, Japan. msakamoto@aoni.waseda.jp
Abstract:
Excitability of the corticospinal pathway increased during observation of an action. The present study investigated whether corticospinal excitability during an action observation is modulated by physical movement executed by the observers themselves. Participants alternately repeated the observation of a pinching action with the thumb and index finger and execution (30 times) of the same action. Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscle during observation of the action. MEP amplitude gradually increased with the number of executions of the same action. However, MEP amplitude did not change when the participants only repeated observation of the pinching action or when the participants alternately repeated observation of the pinching action and execution of the isometric abduction of the index finger. These findings suggest that enhancement of cotricospinal excitability is dependent on the execution of a particular action that is very similar to the observed action.
Related Concept Videos
Motor Unit Stimulation
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
Generation of Action Potential in Skeletal Muscles
Like neurons, muscle cells are also regarded as excitable due to their capacity to change in response to stimuli, primarily due to voltage-gated ion channels embedded in their plasma membranes, which get activated by alterations in the cell's...
Propagation of Action Potentials
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
Muscle Coordination and Action
Agonists
Agonist muscles, often called prime movers, are the primary muscles responsible for producing a specific movement.
Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal Muscles
When an action potential...

