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Action, observation or imitation of virtual hand movement affect differently regions of the mirror neuron system and the default mode network.

Nabila Brihmat, Mohamed Tarri, Yann Quidé, Ketty Anglio, Bernard Pavard, Evelyne Castel-Lacanal, David Gasq, Xavier De Boissezon, Philippe Marque, Isabelle Loubinoux

Brain Imaging and Behavior October 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-017-9804-x (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Proof of concept study; functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment Peer reviewed
Sample size 11
Population Healthy adult participants
Measures Blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal
Topics Default mode network
Keywords Hand Neural pathways Humans Magnetic resonance imaging Brain mapping Imitative behavior Motor activity Motion perception Psychomotor performance Adult Female Mirror neurons Virtual reality Imitation Mirror neuron system Healthy participants
Key findings Observing real versus virtual hands produced no differences in BOLD signal. Imitating virtual hands activated the ventral premotor cortex (mirror neuron system) more than execution and virtual-hand observation, and the dorsal-anterior precuneus was less deactivated (more involved). The authors propose these results reflect dual visuo-motor roles for the ventral premotor cortex and attentional/neural resource reallocation by the dorsal-anterior precuneus for bimodal task management.

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR)-based paradigms use visual stimuli that can modulate visuo-motor networks leading to the stimulation of brain circuits. The aims of this study were to compare the changes in blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal when watching and imitating moving real (RH) and virtual hands (VH) in 11 healthy participants (HP). No differences were found between the observation of RH or VH making this VR-based experiment a promising tool for rehabilitation protocols. VH-imitation involved more the ventral premotor cortex (vPMC) as part of the mirror neuron system (MNS) compared to execution and VH-observation conditions. The dorsal-anterior Precuneus (da-Pcu) as part of the Precuneus/posterior Cingulate Cortex (Pcu/pCC) complex, a key node of the Default Mode Network (DMN), was also less deactivated and therefore more involved. These results may reflect the dual visuo-motor roles for the vPMC and the implication of the da-Pcu in the reallocation of attentional and neural resources for bimodal task management. The ventral Pcu/pCC was deactivated regardless of the condition confirming its role in self-reference processes. Imitation of VH stimuli can then modulate the activation of specific areas including those belonging to the MNS and the DMN.

Comparable studies

Other experimental studies on default mode network, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Functional connectivity of default mode network components: Correlation, anticorrelation, and causality Healthy subjects 2008 Observational study using resting-state fMRI and seed correlation analysis
Patterns of Brain Activity Supporting Autobiographical Memory, Prospection, and Theory of Mind, and Their Relationship to the Default Mode Network Healthy subjects 2009 Experimental study using fMRI
Dynamic reconfiguration of the default mode network during narrative comprehension Human subjects 2016 Experimental study
Broadband Cortical Desynchronization Underlies the Human Psychedelic State Healthy human participants 2013 Experimental study
The brain on art: intense aesthetic experience activates the default mode network Human observers 2012 Observational study with fMRI and behavioral analysis

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