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

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.