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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Published on: December 31, 2013

Emotional valence modulates putative mirror neuron activity.

Peter G Enticott¹, Bronwyn A Harrison, Sara L Arnold

¹Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University and The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. peter.enticott@monash.edu

Neuroscience Letters

|December 31, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Negative emotions enhance mirror neuron system activity during action observation, suggesting an adaptive mechanism. This modulation impacts corticospinal excitability, particularly for muscles involved in observed actions.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Motor Control

Background:

Mirror neurons are hypothesized to play a role in understanding and processing emotions.
Previous research has not clarified if emotional valence influences mirror neuron activity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether the valence of emotional stimuli modulates mirror neuron system activity.
To examine the effect of negative versus positive emotional cues on corticospinal excitability during action observation.

Main Methods:

Utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to stimulate the primary motor cortex.
Recorded electromyography (EMG) from hand muscles during action observation.
Participants viewed hand actions preceded by either positive or negative emotional stimuli.

Main Results:

Corticospinal excitability facilitation during action observation was significantly greater after negative stimuli compared to positive stimuli.
This effect was specific to the first dorsal interosseous muscle, crucial for the observed grasp.
No significant modulation was observed for the abductor digiti minimi muscle.

Conclusions:

Emotional valence significantly modulates mirror neuron system activity.
This modulation may represent an adaptive mechanism for processing emotionally charged actions.
Findings contribute to understanding the interplay between emotion and action representation in the brain.