Relating the "mirrorness" of mirror neurons to their origins
James M Kilner1, Karl J Friston2
1Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom. j.kilner@ucl.ac.uk http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion/departments/sobell.
Abstract:
Ever since their discovery, mirror neurons have generated much interest and debate. A commonly held view of mirror neuron function is that they transform "visual information into knowledge," thus enabling action understanding and non-verbal social communication between con-specifics (Rizzolatti & Craighero 2004). This functionality is thought to be so important that it has been argued that mirror neurons must be a result of selective pressure.
Related Concept Videos
Nonconscious Mimicry
Vision
Diencephalon: Thalamus and Information Relay
Direct Motor Pathways
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and...
Empathy
Reflex Activity
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...


