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Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation
Published on: December 31, 2013
Do gaze behaviours during action observation predict interpersonal motor resonance?
Soukayna Bekkali1, George J Youssef1,2, Peter H Donaldson1
1Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia.
Gaze fixation on relevant body parts enhances interpersonal motor resonance (IMR), an index of the mirror neuron system (MNS). This effect, however, may diminish with action novelty, impacting IMR studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Motor Control
Background:
- Interpersonal motor resonance (IMR) is a key indicator of the mirror neuron system (MNS).
- The role of visual behavior, specifically gaze, in modulating MNS activity during action observation remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of gaze fixation on IMR during the observation of actions.
- To determine if visual attention to specific areas affects the mirror neuron system response.
Main Methods:
- 99 neurotypical adults participated.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electromyography (EMG), and eye-tracking were used during video observation of grasping actions.
- IMR was quantified by changes in motor evoked potentials (MEPs).
Main Results:
- MEP facilitation confirmed IMR during action observation (65.43%).
- Gaze fixation on biologically relevant areas (face/hand/arm) resulted in stronger IMR (81.03%) compared to non-biological areas (63.92%).
- This modulation was significant only in the initial experimental block, suggesting a novelty or salience effect.
Conclusions:
- Gaze fixation significantly modulates IMR during action observation.
- The influence of gaze on IMR may be transient, potentially affected by the salience and novelty of the observed actions.
- Findings offer critical methodological insights for future research on the MNS in both clinical and healthy populations.
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