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Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation
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Medial frontal cortex: from self-generated action to reflection on one's own performance.

Richard E Passingham1, Sara L Bengtsson, Hakwan C Lau

  • 1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3UD. dick.passingham@psy.ox.ac.uk <dick.passingham@psy.ox.ac.uk>

Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|December 9, 2009
PubMed
Summary

The supplementary motor cortex and anterior cingulate cortex are vital for self-generated actions and mental state reflection. Recent evidence supports their crucial role, challenging prior doubts.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • The supplementary motor cortex (SMC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) have been implicated in self-generated behavior for over two decades.
  • Numerous electrophysiology and brain imaging studies have investigated the roles of the SMC and ACC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent literature concerning the involvement of the SMC and ACC in self-generated actions.
  • To re-evaluate the proposal that these medial frontal cortex regions are crucial for self-generated action and self-reflection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies.
  • Analysis of findings from electrophysiology and brain imaging.

Main Results:

  • The proposal that the SMC and ACC are crucial for self-generated action remains supported despite recent challenges.
  • The role of these regions can be extended to include reflection on mental states.
  • Anatomical connectivity patterns are consistent with the medial frontal cortex's involvement in self-generated action and self-reflection.

Conclusions:

  • The medial frontal cortex, including the SMC and ACC, plays a critical role in initiating self-generated actions.
  • These brain regions are also fundamental for cognitive processes such as self-reflection.
  • The reviewed evidence reinforces the significance of the medial frontal cortex in complex cognitive functions.