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ObjectiveTo explore the neuromuscular control mechanism of training strategies based on mirror neuron system (MNS): action observation (AO), action execution (AE) and action imitation (AO+AE) using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and surface electromyography (sEMG). MethodsFrom July, 2022 to February, 2023, 64 healthy adults were asked to finish four tasks: watching landscape video (control), watching landscape video and acting right wrist and hand extension (AE), watching right wrist and hand extension video (AO), and watching right wrist and hand extension video and acting right wrist and hand extension (AO+AE). A block design was adopted, five times a task in a block, eight cycles, random orders in videos and tasks. The activation of each channel and regions of interest (ROI, namely BA40, BA44, BA45, BA46, BA6 and BA7) in left MNS regions was detected with fNIRS synchronously, as well as the average electromyography (AEMG) of extensor digitorum and extensor carpi radialis with sEMG. ResultsCompared with the control condition, MNS activated in AO, AE and AO+AE conditions, and the intensities mildly increased in turn. Compared with the control condition, 15 channels activated in AO condition, 15 channels activated in AE condition, and all 20 channels activated in AO+AE condition; and the activation intensities of most channels were AO+AE > AE > AO. Four ROI, BA40, BA46, BA6 and BA7, activated in AO condition, all the six ROI activated in AE and AO+AE conditions, and the activation intensities of most ROI were AO+AE > AE > AO. The standardized AEMG of extensor digitorum and extensor carpi radialis were higher in AO+AE condition than in AE condition (|t| > 4.24, P < 0.001). ConclusionMNS has been activated during action observation, execution and imitation, and the ranges and intensities of activation increase in turn. The target muscles activate more during imitation than during execution. Synchronous application of fNIRS and sEMG is feasible in the study of neural mechanism of rehabilitation strategies based on mirror neuron theory.
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Objective:To study effects of balance and motor function of walking stability training guided by mirror neuron theory for stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods:A total of 67 stroke with hemiplegia from January 2019 to June 2020 in Heze Municipal Hospital were divided into experimental group (34 cases) and control group (33 cases). All patients were given conventional rehabilitation training, the control group was given body weight support treadmill training, the experimental group was given mirror visual feedback therapy combined with body weight support treadmill training. The training time was 8 weeks. The body balance function, body motor function and life quality were evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Balance scale(FM-B), Berg Balance Scale(BBS), Tinetti Gait Analysis(TGA), Functional Ambulation Category scale(FAC), Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scale (SS-QOL) and compared before and after training between the two groups.Results:There was no significant difference in the score (classification) of FM-B, BBS, TGA, SS-QOL, FAC before training between the two groups( P>0.05). The score (classification) of FM-B, BBS, TGA, FAC after training were (11.35±1.32), (47.33±6.20), (9.32±1.12) points and (3.54±0.61)grades in the experimental group and (9.86±1.25), (42.14±6.35), (8.25±1.32) points and (3.15±0.54) grades in the control group. There were statistically significant of differences( t values were 2.768-4.741, P<0.05). The score of energy, activity ability, emotion, self-care ability, thinking, upper limb function and life quality total score of SS-QOL were (10.31±1.43), (21.46±4.45), (17.64±3.36), (17.32±3.15), (16.23±2.21), (159.11±16.34) points in the experimental group and (8.46±1.21), (17.32±3.24), (15.35±3.11), (14.78±2.32), (8.45±1.25), (13.45±1.54), (141.65±17.24) points in the control group. There were statistically significant of differences( t values were 2.893-7.096, P<0.05). Conclusions:Walking stability training based on mirror neuron theory help to restore limb balance and motor function, and improve life quality in stroke patients with Hemiplegia.
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Embodied cognition is an important research direction in current psycholinguistics. Perceptual symbols theory, indexical hypothesis, immersed experiencer framework, symbol interdependency hypothesis and mirror neuron system are important research achievements of embodied cognition in the field of language, which may light a way for the further development of speech therapy.
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Objective:To compare the effects of observation to non-goal-oriented hand actions with video or pictures on speech recovery in stroke patients with chronic non-fluent aphasia. Methods:From January, 2016 to December, 2018, 30 patients with non-fluent aphasia after stroke were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n = 15) repeated the verbs after watching picture, and the experimental group (n = 15) repeated the verbs after watching videos, for four weeks. They were assessed with Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) before treatment and every week after treatment. Results:Aphasia quotient (AQ) increased with time (F > 32.922, P < 0.001), but no significant difference was found between two groups at any time points (t < 0.699, P > 0.05). The interactive effect between time and group was significant (F = 6.398, P < 0.001), which suggested that AQ increased more in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion:For non-goal-oriented hand action observation, video observation maybe promote speech recovery in stroke patients with chronic non-fluent aphasia.
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PURPOSE: We compared the activation pattern of the mirror neurons (MN) between two types of hand movement according to action observation using functional MRI. METHODS: Twelve right-handed healthy subjects (5 male and 7 female, mean age 21.92±2.02 years) participated in the experiment. During fMRI scanning, subjects underwent two different stimuli on the screen: 1) video clips showing repeated grasping and releasing of the ball via simple hand movement (SHM), and (2) video clips showing an actor performing a Purdue Pegboard test via complex hand movement (CHM). paired t-test in statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was used to compare the activation differences between the two types of hand movement. RESULTS: CHM as compared with the SHM produced a higher blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal response in the right superior frontal gyrus, left inferior and superior parietal lobules, and lingual gyrus. However, no greater BOLD signal response was found by SHM compared with CHM (FWE corrected, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings provided that the activation patterns for observation of SHM and CHM are different. CHM also elicited boarder or stronger activations in the brain, including inferior parietal lobule called the MN region.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Brain , Hand Strength , Hand , Healthy Volunteers , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Mirror Neurons , Occipital Lobe , Oxygen , Parietal Lobe , Prefrontal CortexABSTRACT
Aphasia is the most common language communication disorder after stroke, which has a great impact on the work, life and social interaction of patients. The mechanism of brain recovery in aphasia is mainly to restore language function by regulating the synaptic plasticity of the brain and remolding the network of language function areas. Neuromodulation techniques based on brain network remodeling have been shown to be effective at the early and recovery stages of aphasia. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and mirror neuron therapy (MNT) are neuromodulation techniques that have been developed rapidly in recent years. They can directly or indirectly affect the cerebral cortex by electrical or chemical means, causing cortical excitability changes in the relevant language functional areas, so as to improve the language function of aphasic patients (listening comprehension, picture naming, repetition, daily communication, etc.). tDCS, as a safe, convenient and non-invasive neuro-regulation technology, can regulate the activity of brain neurons through different currents and electrode placement to treat aphasia, and the effect has remained in the follow-up. TMS technology is safe and non-invasive. Through the selection of different frequencies, stimulation sites, it can activate the corresponding cerebral cortex and subcortical axons, and improve the language function of aphasia patients. The damaged language network can be repaired and reshaped by activating mirror neurons, so as to improve the language functions of patients, such as naming, repetition, listening and comprehension. The relationship between mirror neurons and motor, sensation and language can be used as entry point for treatment of aphasia. The application of neuromodulation techniques to neuroelectrophysiology and neuroimaging has become a new direction in treatment of aphasia.
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The mirror neuron system has been widely used in various aspects of neurological rehabilitation. For aphasia, mirror neuron system is mainly used to improve the extraction and expression of words, and repeat of words and phrases. There are a lot of doubts about the therapeutic effect of mirror neuron system, yet.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of the mirror neuron system based mirror visual feedback (MVF) training on both upper-limbs motor function and cognitive function in patients after stroke. Methods:From October, 2016 to July, 2017, 60 stroke patients were randomly divided into control group (n = 30) and treatment group (n = 30). Both groups accepted routine upper limb motor function and cognitive function training, and the treatment group accepted Mirror Neuron System Training (MNST) in addition. Before and eight weeks after treatment, they were assessed with Montreal Cognitive Assessment, reaction time, Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities, modified Barthel Index and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Results:Both groups improved in all the indices after treatment (t > 3.915P < 0.001), and the indices improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (t > 2.452, P < 0.05). Conclusion:MVF based on routine rehabilitation may further improve both the upper limb motor function and cognitive function for stroke patients.
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Objective:To explore the effects of action observation training based on mirror neuron system on motor function of upper extremities in stroke patients. Methods:From June, 2016 to June, 2017, 61 stroke patients were randomly assigned to control group (n = 30) and observation group (n = 31). They all accepted routine rehabilitation, and the observation group received action observation therapy in addition, for eight weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities, modified Ashworth Scale and modified Barthel Index before and after treatment. Results:All the indexes improved in both groups after treatment (|t| > 2.651, P < 0.05), and improved more in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 2.048, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The action observation training may further improve the upper extremity motor function in stroke patients.
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@#Objective To explore the effect of action observation therapy on unilateral spatial neglect after stroke.Methods From March, 2017 to April, 2018, 44 patients with left-sided neglect due to unilateral right-sided vascular brain lesions were randomly divided into control group (n=22) and experimental group (n=22). The control group received the dynamic landscape video observation training, and the experimental group received the action observation training, based on routine rehabilitation, for three weeks. Before treatment, one week and three weeks after treatment, they were evaluated with Chinese Behavioral Inattention Test-Hong Kong version (CBIT-HK) routine tests (short line cancellation test, letter cancellation test, star cancellation test and line segment bisect), and the scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were compared.Results One week after treatment, four scores of CBIT routine tests almost improved (t>2.712, P<0.05), and the score of line segment bisect was significantly better in the experiment group than in the control group (t=4.822, P<0.001). Three weeks after treatment, four scores of CBIT routine tests and the scores of MMSE, FMA and ADL improved in both groups (t>1.596, P<0.05), and the scores of short line cancellation test, letter cancellation test and line segment bisect were significantly lower in the experiment group than in the control group (t>3.577, P<0.01).Conclusion The action observation therapy could faciliate to improve the lateral neglect of patients after stroke.
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Objective To explore the effect of high-frequency, repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) together with mirror neuron training on the cognition of persons with vascular cognitive impairment but without dementia (VCIND). Methods Thirty-three persons with VCIND were randomly divided into an rTMS+MNS group (n =17) and an rTMS group (n =16) using a random number table. Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation training and rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 10 Hz, 2000 pulses per day at their individual motor thresholds on weekdays for 4 weeks using a CCY- I stimulator. The rTMS+MNS group was additionally given mirror neuron training. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the modified Barthel Index (MBI) were administered before and after the treatment. The P300 latency and amplitude of both groups were also measured. Results Before the treatment, no significant differences were found in any of the measurements. After the treatment, the average MoCA, MMSE and MBI scores had increased significantly in both groups, with those of the rTMS+MNS group increasing significantly more than those of the rTMS group. After the treatment, the average P300 latency and amplitude of both groups were also significantly better than before the treatment. Compared with the rTMS group, the average P300 latency of the rTMS+MNS group was significantly shorter, while the average amplitude was significantly greater. Conclusion Mirror neuron training combined with rTMS is more effective than rTMS alone in improving the cognition and ADL performance of VCIND patients. It is worth applying in clinical practice.
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RESUMEN El sistema de neuronas espejo (SNE) es el circuito de células nerviosas que se activan tanto al ejecutar una acción como al observar que esa misma acción es realizada por otro sujeto. En humanos, este sistema neuronal se encuentra estrechamente relacionado con la comprensión de acciones motoras e imitación, así como con capacidades de alto nivel, como el desarrollo del lenguaje verbal, la teoría de la mente (ToM) y la manifestación de cualidades como la empatía emocional, factores que son alterados en sujetos con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), lo que se evidencia principalmente en afectaciones en el marco de la interacción social. Diversos estudios realizados con electroencefalografía (EEG) han permitido reconocer alteraciones en la activación del SNE en personas con TEA en tareas donde se presentan condiciones de observación de acciones motoras, lo cual se evidencia en la ausencia de la desincronización del ritmo mu del electroencefalograma. Este artículo presenta una revisión de las investigaciones que se han desarrollado en los temas de neuronas espejo, trastorno del espectro autista, electroencefalografía y su relación.
SUMMARY The mirror neuron system (MNS) is the circuit of nerve cells that are activated both by performing an action and by observing that the same action is performed by another subject. In humans, this neural system is closely related to the understanding of motor actions and imitation, as well as to high level skills such as verbal language development, theory of mind (ToM) and the manifestation of qualities such as emotional empathy, factors that are altered in subjects with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), evidencing mainly affectations at the level of social interaction. Several studies with electroencephalography (EEG) have allowed us to recognize alterations in the activation of the MNS in people with ASD in tasks where there are conditions of observation of motor actions, which is evidenced in the absence of the desynchronization of mu rate of electroencephalogram. Thus, this article presents a review of the researches that have been developed in the subjects of mirror neurons, autism spectrum disorder, electroencephalography and their relationship.
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Electroencephalography , Mirror Neurons , Autism Spectrum DisorderABSTRACT
The action of observing can be used as an effective rehabilitation paradigm, because it activates the mirror neuron system. However, it is difficult to fully use this paradigm because it is difficult to get patients to engage in watching video clips of exercise. In this study, we proposed a steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) based paradigm that could be used in a Brain Computer Interface, and examined its feasibility by investigating whether flickering video could activate the mirror neuron system and evoke SSVEPs at the same time. Twenty subjects were recruited and asked to watch the flickering videos at a rate of 20 Hz of upper limb motion and visual white noise, while an EEG signal was recorded. The mu rhythm (8–13 Hz) suppression and the SSVEP (19–21 Hz) evocation were analyzed from recorded EEG. The results showed that SSVEPs, evoked by the flickering stimulus, was observed in both conditions on O1 and O2, but the mu rhythm suppression on C3 and C4 was observed only in the exercise video condition. These results could signify that the flickering video is applicable for the BCI rehabilitation game, activating the mirror neuron system at the same time.
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Humans , Brain-Computer Interfaces , Electroencephalography , Evoked Potentials , Mirror Neurons , Noise , Rehabilitation , Stroke , Upper ExtremityABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of a training based on instructional video modeling designed from the mirror neuron theory on executive dysfunction after stroke. Methods 40 stroke inpatients with executive dysfunction from July, 2014 to July, 2015 were divided into control group (n=20) and observation group (n=20). The control group accepted executive rehabilitation training, while the observation group were asked to see the video of executive rehabilitation task before training. They were assessed with Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) before and after intervention. Results The total score and scores of subtests except Rule Shift Cards and Key Search increased more in the observation group than in the control group (t>2.9, P<0.05). Conclusion Rehabilitation video as a visual stimulus for exercise training based on the mirror neuron theory could improve executive function recovery of stroke patients with executive dysfunction.
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Objective To investigate the effect of motor imagery therapy based on mirror neuron theory on the motor function and gait in stroke survivors.Methods Forty-nine stroke survivors were randomly divided into a treatment group (n =24) and a control group (n =25) using a random number table.All the patients in both groups were given similar conventional rehabilitation treatment.In addition,the patients in the treatment group were given motor imagery training based on mirror neuron theory once a day for 20 min each time,5 days a week,lasting 8 weeks.The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs),average step length,the percentage of time spent on the intact foot and the paralyzed foot,and 6 minute walking distance were used to evaluate the subjects' motor function and gait before and after 8 weeks of treatment.Results Before the intervention there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of any of the measurements.At the end of the 8 weeks of treatment all measurements in both groups had significantly improved compared with before training.The averages of all the measures were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group.Conclusions Motor imagery training based on mirror neuron theory can improve the motor function and gait of stroke survivors.
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Objective To explore the biological motion perception in Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods 45 individuals with idiopathic PD were compared with 45 matched healthy controls (HCs) using a duration discrimination task.Results The point of subjective equality(PSE) was negative value (-0.27±0.17) for health controls (HCs),and there was significant difference compared with PSE =0 by one sample t test (t=10.96,P＜ 0.01).Compared with HCs,the PSE for PD patients (-0.14±0.30) significantly decreased (t=2.63,P=0.01).When further dividing PD into early stages (stage 1-2) and late stages (stage 3-4),significant difference was found between late-stage PD patients(0.02±0.39)and HCs (t=4.07,P=0.008),but not between early-stage PD patients (-0.24±0.14) and HCs (t=0.84,P=0.405).Conclusion There is biological motion perception disorder in PD patients and it is related to the severity of PD.
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in alpha, beta and gamma bands of distinct cortical regions in variable absolute power due to the execution of feeding motor gesture, through the actuation of mirror neurons system (MNS) and motor imagery (MI). A subject, male, 60 years old, right-handed, with left hemiparesis was subjected to five electroencephalographic measures in different experimental conditions: initial rest, motor practice, mirror neurons system, imagery and final rest. In alpha, there was less mental effort during the condition MI in C3 and Cz. In beta, there was high activity in derivations C4, T3, and T4 during the MNS condition, indicating that these neurons are recruited during the observation and execu-tion task. In gamma, during MI, there was high activation of C4. The MI and MNS promoted cortical activation of regions altered by ce-rebral damage and can be used in rehabilitation of individuals with stroke.
O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar alterações nas bandas alfa, beta e gama em regiões corticais distintas, na variável potên-cia absoluta decorrente da execução do gesto motor de alimentação, por meio do acionamento do sistema de neurônios espelhos (SNE) e imagética motora (IM). Um sujeito do sexo masculino, 60 anos, destro, hemiparético à esquerda, foi submetido a cinco medidas ele-troencefalográficas em condições experimentais distintas: repouso inicial, prática motora, sistema de neurônios espelho, imagética e repouso final. Em alfa, verificou-se menor esforço mental durante a condição IM nos eletrodos C3 e Cz. Em beta, houve elevada ati-vidade nas derivações C4, T3, e T4 na condição SNE, indicando que esses neurônios são recrutados durante a observação e execução da tarefa. Em gama, durante a IM, verificou-se alta ativação de C4. A IM e SNE promoveram ativação de regiões corticais alteradas pela lesão cerebral, podendo ser utilizados na reabilitação de indivíduos com AVE.
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Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Paresis/diagnosis , Brain Mapping , Stroke/complications , Electroencephalography/methods , Paresis/etiologyABSTRACT
The discovery of the mirror neuron system (MNS) is one of the most important neuroscientific achievements in the 20th century. Some researchers had reported that MNS dysfunction was discovered in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Finally, the 'broken mirror' theory of ASD was announced in the mid 2000's. According to this theory, ASD cannot simulate the mind and behavior of others due to MNS dysfunction; therefore, they cannot imitate the behaviors and empathized with the mind of others. However, ASD does not always show imitation problems. The researchers who have criticized the 'broken mirror' theory proposed the 'social top-down response modulation (STORM)' theory. On STORM theory, the medial prefrontal cortex or temporoparietal junction, brain areas related with mentalising, might modulate MNS according to social context. We compared the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.
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Child , Autistic Disorder , Brain , Autism Spectrum Disorder , Mirror Neurons , Prefrontal CortexABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to identify the brain mechanism involved in the attribution of person's attitude toward another person, using facial affective pictures and pictures displaying an affectively-loaded situation. METHODS: Twenty four right-handed healthy subjects volunteered for our study. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine brain activation during attitude attribution task as compared to gender matching tasks. RESULTS: We identified activation in the left inferior frontal cortex, left superior temporal sulcus, and left inferior parietal lobule during the attitude attribution task, compared to the gender matching task. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that mirror neuron system and ventrolateral inferior frontal cortex play a critical role in the attribution of a person's inner attitude towards another person in an emotional situation.