Mirror neuron system as the joint from action to language

Mirror neuron system （MNS） represents one past decade, and it has been found to involve in multiple of the most important discoveries of cognitive neuroscience in the aspects of brain functions including action understanding, imitation, language understanding, empathy, action prediction and speech evolution. This manuscript reviewed the function of MNS in action understanding as well as language evolution, and specifically assessed its roles as the bridge from body language to fluent speeches. Then we discussed the speech defects of autism patients due to the disruption of MNS. Finally, given that MNS is plastic in adult brain, we proposed MNS targeted therapy provides an efficient rehabilitation approach for brain damages conditions as well as autism patients.

Electroencephalogram evidence for the activation of human mirror neuron system during the observation of intransitive shadow and line drawing actions

Previous studies have demonstrated that hand shadows may activate the motor cortex associated with the mirror neuron system in human brain. However, there is no evidence of activity of the human mirror neuron system during the observation of intransitive movements by shadows and line drawings of hands. This study examined the suppression of electroencephalography mu waves （8-13 Hz） induced by observation of stimuli in 18 healthy students. Three stimuli were used： real hand actions, hand shadow actions and actions made by line drawings of hands. The results showed significant desynchronization of the mu rhythm （＂mu suppression＂） across the sensodmotor cortex （recorded at C3, Cz and C4）, the frontal cortex （recorded at F3, Fz and F4） and the central and right posterior parietal cortex （recorded at Pz and P4） under all three conditions. Our experimental findings suggest that the observation of ＂impoverished hand actions＂, such as intransitive movements of shadows and line drawings of hands, is able to activate widespread cortical areas related to the putative human mirror neuron system.

Human mirror neuron system and its plasticity

The mirror neuron system （MNS） was first discovered in non-human primates; these neurons fire when a monkey performs an action or observes another monkey （or even some people） performing that same action. Recent findings have suggested that neural rehabilitation might be achieved through the activation of the MNS in patients after stroke. We propose two major mechanisms （one involving adult neurogenesis and another involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor） that may underlie the activation, modulation and experience-dependent plasticity in the MNS, for further study on promoting central nerve functional reconstruction and rehabilitation of patients with central nervous system injury.

Electroencephalogram evidence for mirror neuron activity during the observation of drawn hand motion

The present study used electroencephalography to examine mu rhythm suppression （a putative index of human mirror neuron system activation） at frontal sites （F3, Fz and F4）, central sites （C3, Cz and C4）, parietal sites （P3, Pz and P4） and occipital sites （O1 and O2）, while subjects observed real hand motion （real hand motion condition） and illustrative depictions of hand motion （drawn hand motion condition）. Experimental data revealed that mu rhythm suppression was exhibited in the mirror neuron system when subjects observed both real and drawn hand motion. Moreover, the mu rhythm recorded at the F3, Fz, F4, and Pz poles was significantly suppressed while observing both stimulus types, but no obvious mu suppression occurred at the O1, 02 and 03 poles. These results suggest that the observation of drawings of human hand actions can activate the human mirror neuron system. This evidence supports the hypothesis that the mirror neuron system may be involved in intransitively abstract action understanding.

Mirror Neurons Underpinnings of Communication Aspects： Inter-subjectivity and Socio-cultural Dimensions

The central aim of this article is to account for communication’s diverse behavioral aspects： actional, motional, audio-visual, emotional, and intentional and their neural underpinnings. Based on neural substrates, the aforementioned aspects will be illuminated in terms of their interpersonal and socio-cultural dimensions active in human interaction. Culture in this context is to be approached, on the one hand, as a guideline identifying a given group or society in a given neuro-social space and taken, on the other hand, as a universal catalogue of synchronized human behavior. The framework we draw on our lines of reasoning incorporates Mirror Neurons theory and Neural Networks conception, equally referring to an interdisciplinary-grounded perspective.

Aphasia rehabilitation based on mirror neuron theory: a randomized-block-design study of neuropsychology and functional magnetic resonance imaging

When watching someone performs an action, mirror neurons are activated in a way that is very similar to the activation that occurs when actually performing that action. Previous single-sample case studies indicate that hand-action observation training may lead to activation and remodeling of mirror neuron systems, which include important language centers, and may improve language function in aphasia patients. In this randomized-block-design experiment, we recruited 24 aphasia patients from, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, China. The patients were divided into three groups where they underwent hand-action observation and repetition, dynamic-object observation and repetition, or conventional speech therapy. Training took place 5 days per week, 35 minutes per day, for 2 weeks. We assessed language function via picture naming tests for objects and actions and the Western Aphasia Battery. Among the participants, one patient, his wife and four healthy student volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging to analyze changes in brain activation during hand-action observation and dynamic-object observation. Results demonstrated that, compared with dynamic-object observation, hand-action observation led to greater performance with respect to the aphasia quotient and affiliated naming sub-tests and a greater Western Aphasia Battery test score. The overall effect was similar to that of conventional aphasia training, yet hand-action observation had advantages compared with conventional training in terms of vocabulary extraction and spontaneous speech. Thus, hand-action observation appears to more strongly activate the mirror neuron system compared with dynamic-object observation. The activated areas included Broca's area, Wernicke's area, and the supramarginal gyrus. These results suggest that hand-action observation combined with repetition might better improve language function in aphasia patients compared with dynamic-object observation combined with repetition. The therapeutic mechanism of this intervention may be associated with activation of additional mirror neuron systems, and may have implications for the possible repair and remodeling of damaged nerve networks. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of Nanjing Medical University, China(approval number: 2011-SRFA-086) on March 11, 2011. This trial has been registered in the ISRCTN Registry(ISRCTN84827527).

Neural Correlates of Developmental Coordination Disorder: The Mirror Neuron System Hypothesis

Primary impairments of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) include impairments in motor skill, motor learning, and imitation. Such difficulties present challenges for individuals with DCD and may persist into adulthood, negatively impacting daily life in school, work, and social domains. A better understanding of the neural correlates of motor and imitation impairments in DCD holds the potential for informing development of treatment approaches to address these impairments. Although the disorder is assumed to be of neurological origin, little is known of the brain-based etiology of DCD. In recent years the discovery of a fronto-parietal circuit—known as the mirror neuron system—has enabled researchers to better understand imitation, general motor functions, and aspects of social cognition. Given its involvement in imitation and other motor functions, we propose that dysfunction in the mirror neuron system may underlie the characteristic impairments of DCD. We review literature pertaining to the mirror neuron system and develop a theory of disordered mirror neuron functioning in DCD. Finally, we review the limited neuroimaging literature available on neural correlates of DCD and show that the findings from those investigations are congruent with a mirror neuron system theory of DCD. Future research in this population should be designed to investigate specifically mirror neuron regions in individuals with DCD during skilled motor tasks and imitation in particular.

空间天文望远镜自适应精密稳像闭环控制

针对空间天文望远镜低频段视轴扰动补偿问题,提出了一种基于主动光学技术的自适应精密稳像闭环控制方法。该方法以精细导星仪(Fine Guide Sensor,FGS)为高精度视轴扰动检测器,以四点支撑压电驱动大口径快摆镜机构(Fast Steering Mirror,FSM)为视轴扰动补偿器。首先,采用位置式PID控制器串联积分环节进行精密稳像闭环控制,得到补偿FGS检测出的二维视轴扰动所需FSM的二维摆动角度,进而根据驱动结构转换为每个支撑点的压电陶瓷执行器(Piezoelectric actuators,PZT)的伸缩量。然后,利用基于广义Bouc-Wen逆模型的压电动态迟滞前馈补偿方法进行高精度的压电陶瓷执行器定位控制。最后,根据有监督的Hebb学习规则,利用具有自学习和自适应能力单神经元对PID控制器参数进行调整,从而得到最优控制器参数。实验结果表明,所提控制方法能够有效地补偿空间天文望远镜的视轴偏差,可以将精细导星仪X方向和Y方向的星点质心位置偏差功率谱密度在0~6 Hz频段内积分值分别抑制了98.54%和98.62%。

基于镜像神经元的镜像疗法对脑卒中功能障碍的康复治疗研究进展

镜像神经元被认为是通过一种内部模仿机制促进脑功能环路的重塑,人们可通过理解和学习将运动信息存储在大脑,当观察到动作时可激活类似动作再现或共振,有助于执行、模仿观察到的动作,或者当听觉信息与出现的动作相关时,即使事件被隐藏,镜像神经元也能被激活。镜像疗法是在将视觉信息转换成为活动行为时,通过激活镜像神经元系统来实现的。镜像神经元系统的激活能影响运动学习进程,是运动学习的重要神经机制。其操作简便,成本低,特别适合患者的自主实践,值得临床推广。而随着临床研究的不断拓展,发现其在治疗脑卒中功能障碍方面有着更大的应用空间。

镜像神经元疗法治疗中风后复杂性区域疼痛综合征Ⅰ期的疗效及对血清SP、CGRP水平的影响

目的镜像神经元疗法对中风后复杂性区域疼痛综合征(CRPS)Ⅰ期的临床疗效及作用机制的探讨。方法选择康复科收治的40例CRPSⅠ期患者为研究对象。在研究中采用随机法,将选择的40例患者分为对照组与镜像组,每组20例。均采取基础以及常规康复治疗,镜像组额外追加镜像治疗,两组每天上下午各治疗1次,5次/周,共治疗3周。采用休息状态视觉模拟评分(resting state visual analogue scale,R-VAS)与被动运动视觉模拟评分(passive movement state visual analogue scale,P-VAS)来评估上肢肩关节疼痛状况,选择运用排水法来评估手部肿胀状况,并且选择运用Fugl-Meyer量表,评估上肢运动功能,采用ELISA检测技术进行测定血清降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)、P物质(SP)含量。结果镜像组患者治疗3周后的肩关节R-VAS、P-VAS评分及肿胀程度均低于对照组(P<0.05),Fugl-Meyer评分高于对照组(P<0.05),SP含量低于对照组(P<0.05),CGRP含量高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论镜像组能更有效地改善CRPSⅠ期患者肩关节疼痛、手部肿胀及上肢功能障碍,调节血清CGRP及SP细胞水平。

镜像神经元康复策略联合经颅磁刺激对卒中后神经与功能康复的作用研究

目的:研究镜像神经元康复策略(Mirror Neuron System,MNS)联合经颅磁刺激(Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation,TMS)对卒中后神经与功能康复的作用。方法:选取2019年1月至2023年6月某部队康复中心收治的198例卒中后遗留有运动功能障碍患者,采用随机数字表法分为三组,各66例。三组均给予常规康复指导,磁刺激组给予TMS治疗,镜像组给予MNS治疗,联合组给予TMS+MNS治疗。比较三组干预前、干预2周后、干预4周后神经功能(NIHSS)、上下肢运动功能(FMA)、日常生活能力(ADL)、平衡能力(BBS)、上肢与下肢肌张力(MAS)、健患侧步长差、患侧负重时间百分比及语言功能。结果:联合组干预2周、4周后NIHSS评分低于磁刺激组、镜像组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),磁刺激组、镜像组组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);联合组干预2周、4周后FMA-上肢、FMA-下肢评分高于磁刺激组、镜像组,且镜像组高于磁刺激组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);联合组干预2周、4周后ADL评分、BBS评分高于磁刺激组、镜像组,且镜像组高于磁刺激组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);联合组干预4周后上肢和下肢MAS分级0~1级患者占比高于磁刺激组、镜像组,且磁刺激组高于镜像组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);联合组干预2周、4周后健患侧步长差低于磁刺激组、镜像组,患侧负重时间百分比高于磁刺激组、镜像组,且镜像组变化幅度大于磁刺激组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);联合组干预2周、4周后语言功能中阅读理解、复述、流畅度、命名评分高于磁刺激组、镜像组,且磁刺激组高于镜像组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:MNS联合TMS能促进卒中后神经与功能康复,有利于改善患者日常生活能力,且二者各有优势,互相补充,联合治疗效果显著,值得临床推广。

恐音症的临床心理特征及其神经机制

恐音症是一种特殊的情绪性心理障碍,会导致患者对某些日常声音产生负面情绪、生理唤醒和异常行为,并严重影响其身心发展和社会适应。恐音症与强迫症等心身疾病存在症状上的重叠,但其在脑岛、眶额皮层、运动皮层上却表现出神经特征的独特性。进一步的脑成像显示,恐音症在视听皮层、边缘系统、自主神经系统、脑岛、运动皮层间存在异常功能连接。强烈世界理论和过度镜像模型为恐音症在注意系统、感知系统、情绪系统、感知-动作联结系统等异常方面提供了其临床心理及神经机制的解释。在此基础上,通过区分单通道干预和跨通道干预方案,从修正认知、重塑神经活跃程度、改善脑区间功能连接等角度,为完善和建构恐音症治疗方案提供新思路。

视觉反馈训练对脊髓损伤患者运动功能康复作用机制的功能MRI研究进展

视觉反馈训练(visual feedback training, VFT)已经被广泛应用于脊髓损伤(spinal cord injury, SCI)及其他各种运动功能障碍性疾病的康复治疗,并取得较好疗效,但其对运动功能影响的神经机制尚不清楚。随着功能MRI的发展,研究发现VFT与大脑网络间和网络内的功能连接改变及感觉运动皮层的激活有一定相关性,为揭示其促进运动功能康复的神经机制提供了理论依据。因此,本文就VFT对SCI患者运动功能康复作用机制的功能MRI研究进展进行综述,旨在为VFT在SCI患者运动康复中的临床应用提供神经影像学证据。

文化学习的多维解构:内涵阐释、脑科学机制及其教育路径研究

文化学习是一种以深度理解他者心灵为基础,通过间接学习的方式获取族群内其他个体的观念、技能和习俗等文化信息的社会性学习方法。其实现需要三要素:内部认知基础——深度理解他者心灵;外部环境条件——与他者接触或互动;实现途径——以他人为中介的间接学习。文化学习可分为模仿学习、教授学习和合作学习。文化学习有赖人脑镜像神经元,将理解他人的感受、意图、信念等变成了可以自动实现的神经生理过程。学校教育旨在以学生乐于接受的方式,将人类已有优秀文化传递给学生,要注重教师的教导和模范作用,构建学生学习共同体,并以叙事传递科学文化成果。

基于镜像神经元系统的康复疗法在脑卒中后失语症中的应用进展

脑卒中后失语症作为脑卒中的常见并发症之一,不仅影响患者的日常交流,还可能引发情绪障碍、社交退缩、认知功能下降等问题。此外,长期的语言障碍还可能影响患者的康复进程,增加并发症(抑郁、焦虑等)的发生风险,进一步加剧患者的身体和心理负担。近年来,国内外治疗失语症的方法不断更新,基于镜像神经元系统的康复疗法在脑卒中后失语症治疗中的应用取得了一定进展,使有效提升脑卒中后失语症患者的恢复效果、加快患者语言功能恢复成为可能。

人类文化学习的认知工具论:社会脑双系统视角

文化演化心理学强调文化是超越于先天-后天争论的人类心灵有别于其他动物的最重要资源。认知工具是人类特有的、特定区域集成的高阶认知加工过程。在个体层面上,认知工具是一种通过个体发展早期的社会互动组合而成的装置,而不是“先天模块”或“认知本能”;在群体层面上,它通过文化学习以保持、发展和传递其功能。读心和模拟是两种核心的认知工具,其功能获得了来自社会脑双系统假设和实验证据的支持:心智化系统负责读心,而镜像神经元系统负责模拟。最终,认知工具论使自身建立在了文化演化而非基因演化的达尔文式新进路基础之上。

The use of mirror mechanism for activity-dependent neurorehabilitation

The present study observed the effects of the non-invasive, mirror neuron system application on neurorehabilitation. In primate studies, mirror neurons have been shown to fire when the subject observes or performs a specific action, thereby allowing for observation of motor cortex activation. This activation of the mirror neuron system could serve as a treatment for stroke patients. In the present study, the combination of a mirror neuron system-based therapy was introduced for the treatment of patients with motor-deficits, who could not perform rehabilitation exercises. The results also indicate that this therapeutic method plays a positive role in emotional regulation in the same patients.

从理论到课堂实践的创新探索--评《具身教育心理学:从镜像神经元到心智化课堂》

镜像神经元于20世纪90年代提出后一直受到心理学、神经科学、认知科学、哲学等领域关注和广泛探讨。陈巍在《具身教育心理学:从镜像神经元到心智化课堂》(2024)一书中,通过镜像神经元的视角,将具身认知理论与教育心理学创新性地结合了起来。回顾了镜像神经元的起源与发展,延展到具身认知如何在教育领域中应用,特别是在儿童认知发展和课堂教学设计中的实际效果。本文从理论框架、教育实践、儿童认知发展、心智化课堂设计等方面评析,揭示具身认知如何为未来教育创新提供新思路。文章强调了具身认知对儿童学习和教育心理学的重要贡献,并指出了具身教育在实践中可能会面临的挑战与前景。

基于镜像神经元理论的康复训练联合刺络放血疗法治疗卒中后肩手综合征患者的效果

目的:观察基于镜像神经元理论的康复训练联合刺络放血疗法治疗卒中后肩手综合征患者的效果。方法:选取2021年5月至2023年3月该院收治的96例卒中后肩手综合征患者进行前瞻性研究,按照随机数字表法将其分为对照组与观察组各48例。两组均进行基础治疗和常规康复训练,在此基础上,对照组采用刺络放血疗法治疗,观察组在对照组基础上联合基于镜像神经元理论的康复训练治疗,两组均连续治疗4周。比较两组临床疗效,治疗前后疼痛[视觉模拟评分法(VAS)]、上肢运动功能[Fugl-Meyer运动功能量表(FMA)]、生命质量[卒中专用生命质量量表(SS-QOL)]评分。结果:观察组治疗总有效率为95.83%(46/48),高于对照组的83.33%(40/48),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后,观察组VAS评分低于对照组,FMA、SS-QOL评分高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:基于镜像神经元理论的康复训练联合刺络放血疗法治疗卒中后肩手综合征患者可提高临床疗效和上肢运动功能、生命质量评分,降低疼痛评分,效果优于单纯刺络放血疗法治疗。

以镜像神经元理论为基础的步行稳定性训练配合神经肌肉电刺激治疗脑卒中偏瘫的效果观察

目的探究以镜像神经元理论为基础的步行稳定性训练配合神经肌肉电刺激在脑卒中偏瘫中的应用效果。方法选取该院2021年10月—2023年9月收治的120例脑卒中偏瘫患者为研究对象,采用密闭信封法将其分为对照组和研究组,各60例。对照组实施减重平板步行训练联合神经肌肉电刺激治疗,研究组行以镜像神经元理论为基础的步行稳定性训练配合神经肌肉电刺激。比较两组的Fugl-Meyer平衡量表(FM-B)、Tinetti步态评估量表(TGA)、日常生活能力量表(ADL)及脑卒中生命质量测定量表(QLICD-ST)评分。结果干预前,两组患者FM-B及TGA评分比较,组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预2个月后,研究组FM-B及TGA评分均高于对照组,组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预前,两组ADL评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预2个月后,研究组ADL评分低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预前,两组QLICD-ST评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预2个月后,研究组QLICD-ST评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论脑卒中偏瘫患者实施以镜像神经元理论为基础的步行稳定性训练配合神经肌肉电刺激的治疗效果显著,能够增强患者的步行稳定性,从而提高日常生活能力及生命质量。