Post on 18-Dec-2015
Mirror Neurons and Mind Reading
Presented by Amrita Singh and Sandeep Aitha
Keysers C, Gazzola V. 2014 Hebbian learning and predictive mirror neurons for actions, sensations and emotions. Phil. Trans. R. Soc.
STSSuperior Temporal
Sulcus
PMPre-Motor
Cortex
Generates Motor Actions
Responds when viewing and
hearing actions
Thus, strong excitatory connections are
developed from STS neurons which respond
when an action is observed, to PM neurons which elicit the
action. PM neurons become mirror neurons.
Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity
A repeatedly fires 40 ms before B A repeatedly
fires just after B
B repeatedly fires without A firing
A
B
Mirror Neurons for SensationsSomatosensory cortex activated when we see others being touchedSimilar mechanism for development is proposed
No prediction
Mirror Neurons for Emotions• Imitation of
facial expressions by parents
• Might be genetically encoded
References
• Gallese V, Fadiga L, Fogassi L, Rizzolatti G. 1996 Action recognition in the premotor cortex. Brain 119, 593–609
• Caporale N, Dan Y. 2008 Spike timing-dependent plasticity: a Hebbian learning rule. Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 31, 25–46.
• Umilta MA, Kohler E, Gallese V, Fogassi L, Fadiga L, Keysers C, Rizzolatti G. 2001 I know what you are doing: a neurophysiological study. Neuron 31, 155–165.