Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Published on: November 9, 2011
Viewpoint (in)dependence of action representations: an MVPA study
Nikolaas N Oosterhof1, Steven P Tipper, Paul E Downing
1Bangor University. nikolaas.oosterhof@unitn.it
Abstract:
The discovery of mirror neurons-neurons that code specific actions both when executed and observed-in area F5 of the macaque provides a potential neural mechanism underlying action understanding. To date, neuroimaging evidence for similar coding of specific actions across the visual and motor modalities in human ventral premotor cortex (PMv)-the putative homologue of macaque F5-is limited to the case of actions observed from a first-person perspective. However, it is the third-person perspective that figures centrally in our understanding of the actions and intentions of others. To address this gap in the literature, we scanned participants with fMRI while they viewed two actions from either a first- or third-person perspective during some trials and executed the same actions during other trials. Using multivoxel pattern analysis, we found action-specific cross-modal visual-motor representations in PMv for the first-person but not for the third-person perspective. Additional analyses showed no evidence for spatial or attentional differences across the two perspective conditions. In contrast, more posterior areas in the parietal and occipitotemporal cortex did show cross-modal coding regardless of perspective. These findings point to a stronger role for these latter regions, relative to PMv, in supporting the understanding of others' actions with reference to one's own actions.
Insights
Mirror neurons in ventral premotor cortex (PMv) may explain action understanding. This study found PMv shows action coding for first-person but not third-person perspectives, suggesting other brain regions are key for understanding others' actions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Mirror neurons in macaque area F5 are hypothesized to underpin action understanding.
- Human ventral premotor cortex (PMv) is considered the homologue of macaque F5.
- Previous neuroimaging studies showed PMv's action coding primarily for first-person perspectives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate action-specific cross-modal representations in human PMv.
- To compare neural coding of observed actions from first-person versus third-person perspectives.
- To identify brain regions involved in understanding actions from different viewpoints.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to scan participants.
- Participants viewed and executed actions from either a first-person or third-person perspective.
- Multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA) was employed to analyze brain activity patterns.
Main Results:
- Action-specific cross-modal visual-motor representations were found in PMv for the first-person perspective only.
- No significant differences in spatial or attentional factors were observed between perspectives.
- Posterior parietal and occipitotemporal cortex showed cross-modal coding irrespective of perspective.
Conclusions:
- Human PMv exhibits action-specific coding for observed actions primarily from a first-person perspective.
- Posterior brain regions play a more significant role than PMv in understanding others' actions from a third-person viewpoint.
- These findings refine our understanding of the neural basis of action perception and understanding.
