364
Views
37
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Evidence for fast, low-level motor resonance to action observation: An MEG study

, , , , &
Pages 213-228 | Received 06 Dec 2006, Published online: 31 Oct 2008
 

Abstract

Lateralized magnetic fields were recorded from 12 subjects using a 151 channel magnetoencephalograpy (MEG) system to investigate temporal and functional properties of motor activation to the observation of goal-directed hand movements by a virtual actor. Observation of left and right hand movements generated a neuromagnetic lateralized readiness field (LRF) over contralateral motor cortex. The early onset of the LRF and the fact that the evoked component was insensitive to the correctness of the observed action suggest the operation of a fast and automatic form of motor resonance that may precede higher levels of action understanding.

Acknowledgements

The present study was supported by the EU-Project “Joint Action Science and Technology” (IST-FP6–003747).

We would also like to thank Ali Mazaheri for assisting source analysis.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.