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Gammeri R, Villa MC, Ciorli T, Berti A, Ricci R. Beyond balance: The role of the Vestibular system in action recognition. Heliyon 2024; 10:e38019. [PMID: 39347395 PMCID: PMC11438003 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Action recognition is a fundamental aspect of human interaction. This process is mediated by the activation of shared sensorimotor representations during action execution and observation. Although complex movements involving balance or head and trunk rotations require vestibular signals for effective execution, their role in the recognition of others' actions is still unknown. Objective To investigate the causal involvement of the vestibular system in the discrimination of actions performed by others and whether this is influenced by motor familiarity. Methods In a single-blind design involving 25 healthy participants, Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) was administered during an Action Discrimination Task (ADT), in which videos of actions categorized as vestibular/non-vestibular and familiar/unfamiliar were presented. Following each video, participants were required to identify the climax of the previously viewed action between two image options, using a two-alternative forced choice paradigm. The ADT was performed in active and sham GVS conditions, with left or right anodal montages. Response Times (RTs), Accuracy, and subjective motor familiarity were recorded for each action category. Results In sham GVS condition, an overall familiarity effect was observed, where RTs for familiar actions were faster than RTs for unfamiliar ones, regardless of vestibular engagement (p < .001; ηp 2 = .80). Conversely, under active GVS, a selective interference of the identification of vestibular familiar actions was observed compared to sham. Specifically, GVS prolonged RTs for recognizing familiar vestibular actions (p = .004, d = .59) while concurrently enhancing visual sensitivity (d') for the same actions (p = .03, r = .21). Conclusion These findings demonstrate the contribution of the vestibular system to action recognition. GVS disrupted the sensorimotor representation of vestibular actions and led to increased reliance on an alternative processing system focused on visual analysis of limb positions. This dissociation provides valuable insights for future investigations into the complex relationship between vestibular signals and cognitive processes involved in action identification, essential for developing innovative GVS interventions, particularly for individuals with sensorimotor or vestibular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gammeri
- SAN (Space, Attention and actioN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi, 10, Torino, 10124, Italy
| | - Maria-Chiara Villa
- BIP (BraIn Plasticity and Behaviour Changes) Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Tommaso Ciorli
- SAMBA (SpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness) Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, Torino, 10124, Italy
| | - Anna Berti
- SAN (Space, Attention and actioN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi, 10, Torino, 10124, Italy
- SAMBA (SpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness) Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, Torino, 10124, Italy
| | - Raffaella Ricci
- SAN (Space, Attention and actioN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi, 10, Torino, 10124, Italy
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Blunden AG, Henry JD, Pilkington PD, Pizarro-Campagna E. Early affective empathy, emotion contagion, and empathic concern in borderline personality disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 367:462-478. [PMID: 39236884 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are theorized to experience lower cognitive empathy but heightened affective empathy. Despite meta-analyses addressing cognitive empathy, affective empathy remains unexplored. This pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis investigated affective empathy in individuals with BPD or high BPD traits relative to healthy comparisons, using a multidimensional approach including, early affective empathy, emotion contagion, and empathic concern. METHODS Systematic search of SCOPUS, PubMed, Medline COMPLETE, and PsycINFO (June 27, 2022, May 14, 2023, and July 1, 2024) was completed. Included studies compared affective empathy in those with BPD/high BPD traits with healthy comparisons, utilized experimental or self-report designs, and were peer-reviewed or PhD theses. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS Among 22 eligible studies identified, results revealed individuals with BPD/high BPD traits showed significantly higher emotion contagion (Npooled = 1797, g = -1.10, 95 % CI [-1.57, -0.62]). No significant differences were found in empathic concern (Npooled = 1545, g = 0.06, 95 % CI [-0.10, 0.22]), or early affective empathy for anger (Npooled = 245, g = 0.28, 95 % CI [-0.0.53, 1.09]) and happiness, (Npooled = 189, g = 0.34, 95 % CI [-0.1.50, 2.18]). LIMITATIONS Few included studies for early affective empathy, methodological shortcomings in the broader literature and study heterogeneity suggest caution when interpreting these effects, emphasizing the need for targeted research. CONCLUSIONS While individuals with BPD/high BPD traits are more likely to subjectively experience others' distress through emotion contagion, no differences were found in early affective empathy or ability to direct sympathy and concern towards others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthea G Blunden
- Australian Catholic University, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Australia.
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Moffat R, Cross ES. Awareness of embodiment enhances enjoyment and engages sensorimotor cortices. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26786. [PMID: 38994692 PMCID: PMC11240146 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Whether in performing arts, sporting, or everyday contexts, when we watch others move, we tend to enjoy bodies moving in synchrony. Our enjoyment of body movements is further enhanced by our own prior experience with performing those movements, or our 'embodied experience'. The relationships between movement synchrony and enjoyment, as well as embodied experience and movement enjoyment, are well known. The interaction between enjoyment of movements, synchrony, and embodiment is less well understood, and may be central for developing new approaches for enriching social interaction. To examine the interplay between movement enjoyment, synchrony, and embodiment, we asked participants to copy another person's movements as accurately as possible, thereby gaining embodied experience of movement sequences. Participants then viewed other dyads performing the same or different sequences synchronously, and we assessed participants' recognition of having performed these sequences, as well as their enjoyment of each movement sequence. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure cortical activation over frontotemporal sensorimotor regions while participants performed and viewed movements. We found that enjoyment was greatest when participants had mirrored the sequence and recognised it, suggesting that awareness of embodiment may be central to enjoyment of synchronous movements. Exploratory analyses of relationships between cortical activation and enjoyment and recognition implicated the sensorimotor cortices, which subserve action observation and aesthetic processing. These findings hold implications for clinical research and therapies seeking to foster successful social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryssa Moffat
- Professorship for Social Brain Sciences, ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- School of Psychological SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Emily S. Cross
- Professorship for Social Brain Sciences, ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- School of Psychological SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- MARCS InstituteWestern Sydney UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Brunfeldt AT, Desrochers PC, Kagerer FA. Structural Learning Benefits in a Visuomotor Adaptation Task Generalize to a Contralateral Effector. J Mot Behav 2024; 56:642-653. [PMID: 38989887 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2024.2371503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Structural learning is characterized by facilitated adaptation following training on a set of sensory perturbations all belonging to the same structure (e.g., 'visuomotor rotations'). This generalization of learning is a core feature of the motor system and is often studied in the context of interlimb transfer. However, such transfer has only been demonstrated when participants learn to counter a specific perturbation in the sensory feedback of their movements; we determined whether structural learning in one limb generalized to the contralateral limb. We trained 13 participants to counter random visual feedback rotations between +/-90 degrees with the right hand and subsequently tested the left hand on a fixed rotation. The structural training group showed faster adaptation in the left hand in both feedforward and feedback components of reaching compared to 13 participants who trained with veridical reaching, with lower initial reaching error, and straighter, faster, and smoother movements than in the control group. The transfer was ephemeral - benefits were confined to roughly the first 20 trials. The results demonstrate that the motor system can extract invariant properties of seemingly random environments in one limb, and that this information can be accessed by the contralateral limb.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Florian A Kagerer
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Di Cesare G, Lombardi G, Zeidman P, Urgen BA, Sciutti A, Friston KJ, Rizzolatti G. Two distinct networks for encoding goals and forms of action: An effective connectivity study. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2402282121. [PMID: 38885383 PMCID: PMC11214092 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402282121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Goal-directed actions are characterized by two main features: the content (i.e., the action goal) and the form, called vitality forms (VF) (i.e., how actions are executed). It is well established that both the action content and the capacity to understand the content of another's action are mediated by a network formed by a set of parietal and frontal brain areas. In contrast, the neural bases of action forms (e.g., gentle or rude actions) have not been characterized. However, there are now studies showing that the observation and execution of actions endowed with VF activate, in addition to the parieto-frontal network, the dorso-central insula (DCI). In the present study, we established-using dynamic causal modeling (DCM)-the direction of information flow during observation and execution of actions endowed with gentle and rude VF in the human brain. Based on previous fMRI studies, the selected nodes for the DCM comprised the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), the premotor cortex (PM), and the DCI. Bayesian model comparison showed that, during action observation, two streams arose from pSTS: one toward IPL, concerning the action goal, and one toward DCI, concerning the action vitality forms. During action execution, two streams arose from PM: one toward IPL, concerning the action goal and one toward DCI concerning action vitality forms. This last finding opens an interesting question concerning the possibility to elicit VF in two distinct ways: cognitively (from PM to DCI) and affectively (from DCI to PM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Cesare
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma43125, Italy
- Cognitive Architecture for Collaborative Technologies Unit, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova16163, Italy
| | - Giada Lombardi
- Cognitive Architecture for Collaborative Technologies Unit, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova16163, Italy
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa16145, Italy
| | - Peter Zeidman
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, LondonWC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Burcu A. Urgen
- Department of Psychology, Bilkent University, Ankara06800, Turkey
- Department of Neuroscience, Bilkent University, Ankara06800, Turkey
- Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Center & National Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara06800, Turkey
| | - Alessandra Sciutti
- Cognitive Architecture for Collaborative Technologies Unit, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova16163, Italy
| | - Karl J. Friston
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, LondonWC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Giacomo Rizzolatti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma43125, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy, Parma43125, Italy
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Domellöf E, Hjärtström H, Johansson AM, Rudolfsson T, Stillesjö S, Säfström D. Brain activations during execution and observation of visually guided sequential manual movements in autism and in typical development: A study protocol. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296225. [PMID: 38913636 PMCID: PMC11195952 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Motor issues are frequently observed accompanying core deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Impaired motor behavior has also been linked to cognitive and social abnormalities, and problems with predictive ability have been suggested to play an important, possibly shared, part across all these domains. Brain imaging of sensory-motor behavior is a promising method for characterizing the neurobiological foundation for this proposed key trait. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) developmental study, involving children/youth with ASD, typically developing (TD) children/youth, and neurotypical adults, will investigate brain activations during execution and observation of a visually guided, goal-directed sequential (two-step) manual task. Neural processing related to both execution and observation of the task, as well as activation patterns during the preparation stage before execution/observation will be investigated. Main regions of interest include frontoparietal and occipitotemporal cortical areas, the human mirror neuron system (MNS), and the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Domellöf
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Anna-Maria Johansson
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Health, Education and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Thomas Rudolfsson
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Occupational Health, Psychology and Sports Sciences, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
| | | | - Daniel Säfström
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Achour-Benallegue A, Pelletier J, Kaminski G, Kawabata H. Facial icons as indexes of emotions and intentions. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1356237. [PMID: 38807962 PMCID: PMC11132266 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1356237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Various objects and artifacts incorporate representations of faces, encompassing artworks like portraits, as well as ethnographic or industrial artifacts such as masks or humanoid robots. These representations exhibit diverse degrees of human-likeness, serving different functions and objectives. Despite these variations, they share common features, particularly facial attributes that serve as building blocks for facial expressions-an effective means of communicating emotions. To provide a unified conceptualization for this broad spectrum of face representations, we propose the term "facial icons" drawing upon Peirce's semiotic concepts. Additionally, based on these semiotic principles, we posit that facial icons function as indexes of emotions and intentions, and introduce a significant anthropological theory aligning with our proposition. Subsequently, we support our assertions by examining processes related to face and facial expression perception, as well as sensorimotor simulation processes involved in discerning others' mental states, including emotions. Our argumentation integrates cognitive and experimental evidence, reinforcing the pivotal role of facial icons in conveying mental states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Achour-Benallegue
- Cognition, Environment and Communication Research Team, Human Augmentation Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Jérôme Pelletier
- Institut Jean Nicod, Département d'études cognitives, ENS, EHESS, CNRS, PSL University, Paris, France
- Department of Philosophy, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France
| | - Gwenaël Kaminski
- Cognition, Langues, Langage, Ergonomie, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Hideaki Kawabata
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
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Dolfini E, Cardellicchio P, Fadiga L, D'Ausilio A. The role of dorsal premotor cortex in joint action inhibition. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4675. [PMID: 38409309 PMCID: PMC10897189 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54448-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Behavioral interpersonal coordination requires smooth negotiation of actions in time and space (joint action-JA). Inhibitory control may play a role in fine-tuning appropriate coordinative responses. To date, little research has been conducted on motor inhibition during JA and on the modulatory influence that premotor areas might exert on inhibitory control. Here, we used an interactive task in which subjects were required to reach and open a bottle using one hand. The bottle was held and stabilized by a co-actor (JA) or by a mechanical holder (vice clamp, no-JA). We recorded two TMS-based indices of inhibition (short-interval intracortical inhibition-sICI; cortical silent period-cSP) during the reaching phase of the task. These reflect fast intracortical (GABAa-mediated) and slow corticospinal (GABAb-mediated) inhibition. Offline continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) was used to interfere with dorsal premotor cortex (PMd), ventral premotor cortex (PMv), and control site (vertex) before the execution of the task. Our results confirm a dissociation between fast and slow inhibition during JA coordination and provide evidence that premotor areas drive only slow inhibitory mechanisms, which in turn may reflect behavioral co-adaptation between trials. Exploratory analyses further suggest that PMd, more than PMv, is the key source of modulatory drive sculpting movements, according to the socio-interactive context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Dolfini
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation Section of Physiology, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Cardellicchio
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation Section of Physiology, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luciano Fadiga
- IIT@UniFe Center for Translational Neurophysiology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation Section of Physiology, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandro D'Ausilio
- IIT@UniFe Center for Translational Neurophysiology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation Section of Physiology, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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Siemann J, Kroeger A, Bender S, Muthuraman M, Siniatchkin M. Segregated Dynamical Networks for Biological Motion Perception in the Mu and Beta Range Underlie Social Deficits in Autism. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:408. [PMID: 38396447 PMCID: PMC10887711 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14040408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Biological motion perception (BMP) correlating with a mirror neuron system (MNS) is attenuated in underage individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While BMP in typically-developing controls (TDCs) encompasses interconnected MNS structures, ASD data hint at segregated form and motion processing. This coincides with less fewer long-range connections in ASD than TDC. Using BMP and electroencephalography (EEG) in ASD, we characterized directionality and coherence (mu and beta frequencies). Deficient BMP may stem from desynchronization thereof in MNS and may predict social-communicative deficits in ASD. Clinical considerations thus profit from brain-behavior associations. METHODS Point-like walkers elicited BMP using 15 white dots (walker vs. scramble in 21 ASD (mean: 11.3 ± 2.3 years) vs. 23 TDC (mean: 11.9 ± 2.5 years). Dynamic Imaging of Coherent Sources (DICS) characterized the underlying EEG time-frequency causality through time-resolved Partial Directed Coherence (tPDC). Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification validated the group effects (ASD vs. TDC). RESULTS TDC showed MNS sources and long-distance paths (both feedback and bidirectional); ASD demonstrated distinct from and motion sources, predominantly local feedforward connectivity, and weaker coherence. Brain-behavior correlations point towards dysfunctional networks. SVM successfully classified ASD regarding EEG and performance. CONCLUSION ASD participants showed segregated local networks for BMP potentially underlying thwarted complex social interactions. Alternative explanations include selective attention and global-local processing deficits. SIGNIFICANCE This is the first study applying source-based connectivity to reveal segregated BMP networks in ASD regarding structure, cognition, frequencies, and temporal dynamics that may explain socio-communicative aberrancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Siemann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bethel, Evangelical Hospital Bielefeld, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany;
| | - Anne Kroeger
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt am Main, 60389 Frankfurt, Germany (S.B.)
| | - Stephan Bender
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt am Main, 60389 Frankfurt, Germany (S.B.)
- Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Muthuraman Muthuraman
- Department of Neurology, Neural Engineering with Signal Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (NESA-AI), University Clinic Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Michael Siniatchkin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bethel, Evangelical Hospital Bielefeld, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany;
- University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Mokhlesin M, Yadegari F, Noroozi M, Ravarian A, Ghoreishi ZS. Effect of action observation training on the oral phase of swallowing in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot randomized controlled trial. LOGOP PHONIATR VOCO 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38319122 DOI: 10.1080/14015439.2023.2300081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Swallowing disorder is prevalent in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and previous studies have shown that motor-based programs benefit children with CP by facilitating motor learning. We hypothesized that action observation training (AOT) could enhance motor learning and improve the oral phase of swallowing in children. In this two-group parallel double-blind randomized controlled trial, the intervention group received AOT and sensorimotor therapy, while the control group received a sham and sensorimotor therapy. The function of the oral phase of swallowing, as the primary outcome, was measured pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at one month of follow-up. Secondary outcomes included reported symptoms of feeding problems and the impact of the child's swallowing disorder on the main caregiver, which were measured pre-intervention and post-intervention. The result of the Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between the two groups in the function of the oral phase of swallowing after the intervention. Additionally, the intervention had a large effect size. However, no significant difference was found in the parent-reported scores of the feeding/swallowing impact survey and symptoms of feeding problems between the two groups. In conclusion, this pilot study provides preliminary evidence of the clinical efficacy of AOT as a safe neurorehabilitation method to improve the oral phase of swallowing in children with CP. However more studies are needed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Mokhlesin
- Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Speech Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Yadegari
- Department of Speech Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Noroozi
- Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aida Ravarian
- Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Sadat Ghoreishi
- Department of Speech Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Maggio MG, Cezar RP, Milardi D, Borzelli D, DE Marchis C, D'Avella A, Quartarone A, Calabrò RS. Do patients with neurological disorders benefit from immersive virtual reality? A scoping review on the emerging use of the computer-assisted rehabilitation environment. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2024; 60:37-43. [PMID: 37971719 PMCID: PMC10939039 DOI: 10.23736/s1973-9087.23.08025-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Virtual reality (VR) is an advanced technology that creates simulated environments and conditions. By offering the possibility of combining motor, cognitive, and well-being in conjunction with the potential to manipulate multi-sensorial features in a safe environment, VR has emerged as a promising powerful rehabilitation tool. Among advanced VR systems, various authors have highlighted promising effects in the rehabilitation of the computer-assisted rehabilitation environment (CAREN - Motekforce Link; Amsterdam, The Netherlands). In our scoping review, we aimed to map the existing evidence on the use of CAREN in the rehabilitation of neurological patients. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION This scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A search was carried out for all peer-reviewed articles published until June 30, 2023, using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database, PeDro and Web of Science. The following terms have been used: ("Cognitive Rehabilitation" OR "Motor Rehabilitation" OR "CAREN" or "Computer-Assisted Rehabilitation Environment") AND ("Virtual Reality" OR "Rehab"). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS From the assessed studies, only seven met the inclusion criteria: 1) one study concerned cognitive rehabilitation in patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease (PD); 2) one was on the usability of CAREN in PD patients; 3) two studies related to the influence of emotional components to CAREN rehabilitation; 4) three studies were related to motor rehabilitation using CAREN, and involved individuals with PD, Multiple Sclerosis, TBI, respectively. Generally, the few assessed studies demonstrate that CAREN is a safe and potentially effective tool to treat different symptoms (including gait and vestibular disturbances, executive function, depressive mood, and anxiety) in patients with different neurological disorders. CONCLUSIONS The reviewed literature indicated the potential use of CAREN in improving motor and cognitive skills with conflicting results on emotional aspects. However, since the data comes from few and small sample size studies, further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the tool in neurorehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocha P Cezar
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Center of Advanced Technology in Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Demetrio Milardi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, and Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniele Borzelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, and Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Andrea D'Avella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, and Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Kalénine S, Decroix J. The pain hidden in your hands: Facial expression of pain reduces the influence of goal-related information in action recognition. Neuropsychologia 2023; 189:108658. [PMID: 37574186 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of the sensorimotor system in the perception of painful actions has been repeatedly demonstrated. Yet the cognitive processes corresponding to sensorimotor activations have not been identified. In particular, the respective role of higher-level and lower-level action representations such as goals and grips in the recognition of painful actions is not clear. Previous research has shown that in a neutral context, higher-level action representations (goals) are prioritized over lower-level action representations (grips) and guide action recognition. The present study evaluates to what extent the general priority given to goal-related information in the processing of visual actions can be modulated by a context of pain. We used the action violation paradigm developed by van Elk et al. (2008). In the present action tasks, participants had to judge whether the grip or the goal of object-directed actions displayed in photographs was correct or not. The actress in the photograph could show either a neutral facial expression or a facial expression of pain. In the control task, they had to judge whether the actress expressed pain. In the action tasks, goals influenced grip judgements more than grips influenced goal judgements overall, corroborating the priority given to goal-related information previously reported. Critically, the impact of irrelevant goal-related information on the identification of incorrect grips disappeared in the pain context. Moreover, judgements in the control task were similarly influenced by grip and goal-related information. Results suggest that a context of pain reduces the reliance on higher-level action for action judgments. Findings provide novel directions regarding the cognitive and brain mechanisms involved in action processing in painful situations and support pluralist views of action understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solène Kalénine
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000, Lille, France.
| | - Jérémy Decroix
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000, Lille, France
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13
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Zhang C, Li X, Wang H. Application of action observation therapy in stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3157. [PMID: 37480161 PMCID: PMC10454263 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have described the positive effects of action observation therapy (AOT) on motor recovery among patients with stroke. However, there is no standardized procedure for when and how to intervene with AOT. OBJECTIVES Thus, we reviewed and analyzed previous studies to provide a guideline for the application of AOT in stroke rehabilitation. METHOD We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from inception to October 31 2022, using title and abstract search terms of "action observation" and "stroke" or "hemiplegia." Of 4108 potential articles, 29 articles (sample size = 429 in AOT groups; sample size = 423 in control groups) that met inclusion criteria were included in final analyses. RESULTS The results suggested starting adjuvant AOT > 23 days after stroke onset and conducting 30-40 min/session, 3-5 times/week for at least 4 weeks. CONCLUSION Based on our results, many factors will impact the effect of AOT on stroke rehabilitation, when to apply (timing) and how to apply (frequency, single, and total duration) should be fully considered when applying AOT as adjuvant therapy in stroke rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenping Zhang
- Department of Physical EducationShanghai University of Medicine & Health SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Xiawen Li
- Department of Physical EducationShanghai University of Medicine & Health SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Hongbiao Wang
- Department of Physical EducationShanghai University of Medicine & Health SciencesShanghaiChina
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14
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Errante A, Gerbella M, Mingolla GP, Fogassi L. Activation of Cerebellum, Basal Ganglia and Thalamus During Observation and Execution of Mouth, hand, and foot Actions. Brain Topogr 2023:10.1007/s10548-023-00960-1. [PMID: 37133782 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-023-00960-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Humans and monkey studies showed that specific sectors of cerebellum and basal ganglia activate not only during execution but also during observation of hand actions. However, it is unknown whether, and how, these structures are engaged during the observation of actions performed by effectors different from the hand. To address this issue, in the present fMRI study, healthy human participants were required to execute or to observe grasping acts performed with different effectors, namely mouth, hand, and foot. As control, participants executed and observed simple movements performed with the same effectors. The results show that: (1) execution of goal-directed actions elicited somatotopically organized activations not only in the cerebral cortex but also in the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and thalamus; (2) action observation evoked cortical, cerebellar and subcortical activations, lacking a clear somatotopic organization; (3) in the territories displaying shared activations between execution and observation, a rough somatotopy could be revealed in both cortical, cerebellar and subcortical structures. The present study confirms previous findings that action observation, beyond the cerebral cortex, also activates specific sectors of cerebellum and subcortical structures and it shows, for the first time, that these latter are engaged not only during hand actions observation but also during the observation of mouth and foot actions. We suggest that each of the activated structures processes specific aspects of the observed action, such as performing internal simulation (cerebellum) or recruiting/inhibiting the overt execution of the observed action (basal ganglia and sensory-motor thalamus).
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Errante
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
- Department of Diagnostics, Neuroradiology unit, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Marzio Gerbella
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Gloria P Mingolla
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale Ludovico Antonio Scuro 10, 37124, Verona, Italy
| | - Leonardo Fogassi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy.
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15
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Köster M, Meyer M. Down and up! Does the mu rhythm index a gating mechanism in the developing motor system? Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 60:101239. [PMID: 37030147 PMCID: PMC10113759 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental research on action processing in the motor cortex relies on a key neural marker - a decrease in 6-12 Hz activity (coined mu suppression). However, recent evidence points towards an increase in mu power, specific for the observation of others' actions. Complementing the findings on mu suppression, this raises the critical question for the functional role of the mu rhythm in the developing motor system. We here discuss a potential solution to this seeming controversy by suggesting a gating function of the mu rhythm: A decrease in mu power may index the facilitation, while an increase may index the inhibition of motor processes, which are critical during action observation. This account may advance our conception of action understanding in early brain development and points towards critical directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Köster
- University of Regensburg, Institute of Psychology, Sedanstraße 1, 93055 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Marlene Meyer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, USA.
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16
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Alashram AR, Annino G. A Novel Neurorehabilitation Approach for Neural Plasticity
Overstimulation and Reorganization in Patients with Neurological
Disorders. PHYSIKALISCHE MEDIZIN, REHABILITATIONSMEDIZIN, KURORTMEDIZIN 2023. [DOI: 10.1055/a-2004-5836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
AbstractNeurological disorders are those that are associated with impairments in the
nervous system. These impairments affect the patient’s activities of
daily living. Recently, many advanced modalities have been used in the
rehabilitation field to treat various neurological impairments. However, many of
these modalities are available only in clinics, and some are expensive. Most
patients with neurological disorders have difficulty reaching clinics. This
review was designed to establish a new neurorehabilitation approach based on the
scientific way to improve patients’ functional recovery following
neurological disorders in clinics or at home. The human brain is a network, an
intricate, integrated system that coordinates operations among billions of
units. In fact, grey matter contains most of the neuronal cell bodies. It
includes the brain and the spinal cord areas involved in muscle control, sensory
perception, memory, emotions, decision-making, and self-control. Consequently,
patients’ functional ability results from complex interactions among
various brain and spinal cord areas and neuromuscular systems. While white
matter fibers connect numerous brain areas, stimulating or improving non-motor
symptoms, such as motivation, cognitive, and sensory symptoms besides motor
symptoms may enhance functional recovery in patients with neurological
disorders. The basic principles of the current treatment approach are
established based on brain connectivity. Using motor, sensory, motivation, and
cognitive (MSMC) interventions during rehabilitation may promote neural
plasticity and maximize functional recovery in patients with neurological
disorders. Experimental studies are strongly needed to verify our theories and
hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas R. Alashram
- Department of Physiotherapy, Middle East University, Amman,
Jordan
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private
University
| | - Giuseppe Annino
- Department of Medicine Systems, University of Rome “Tor
Vergata”, Rome, Italy
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17
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Visani E, Garofalo G, Rossi Sebastiano D, Duran D, Craighero L, Riggio L, Buccino G. Grasping the semantic of actions: a combined behavioral and MEG study. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:1008995. [PMID: 36583012 PMCID: PMC9792482 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1008995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is experimental evidence that the brain systems involved in action execution also play a role in action observation and understanding. Recently, it has been suggested that the sensorimotor system is also involved in language processing. Supporting results are slower response times and weaker motor-related MEG Beta band power suppression in semantic decision tasks on single action verbs labels when the stimulus and the motor response involve the same effector. Attenuated power suppression indicates decreased cortical excitability and consequent decreased readiness to act. The embodied approach forwards that the simultaneous involvement of the sensorimotor system in the processing of the linguistic content and in the planning of the response determines this language-motor interference effect. Here, in a combined behavioral and MEG study we investigated to what extent the processing of actions visually presented (i.e., pictures of actions) and verbally described (i.e., verbs in written words) share common neural mechanisms. The findings demonstrated that, whether an action is experienced visually or verbally, its processing engages the sensorimotor system in a comparable way. These results provide further support to the embodied view of semantic processing, suggesting that this process is independent from the modality of presentation of the stimulus, including language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Visani
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Garofalo
- Division of Neuroscience, Universitity “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, Milan, Italy,IRCCS San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Dunja Duran
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Laila Craighero
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lucia Riggio
- Unit of Neuroscience, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Buccino
- Division of Neuroscience, Universitity “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, Milan, Italy,IRCCS San Raffaele, Milan, Italy,*Correspondence: Giovanni Buccino
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18
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Iosifyan M, Sidoroff-Dorso A, Wolfe J. Cross-modal associations between paintings and sounds: Effects of embodiment. Perception 2022; 51:871-888. [PMID: 36217800 PMCID: PMC9720465 DOI: 10.1177/03010066221126452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated cross-modal associations between a series of paintings and sounds. We studied the effects of sound congruency (congruent vs. non-congruent sounds) and embodiment (embodied vs. synthetic sounds) on the evaluation of abstract and figurative paintings. Participants evaluated figurative and abstract paintings paired with congruent and non-congruent embodied and synthetic sounds. They also evaluated the perceived meaningfulness of the paintings, aesthetic value and immersive experience of the paintings. Embodied sounds (sounds associated with bodily sensations, bodily movements and touch) were more strongly associated with figurative paintings, while synthetic sounds (non-embodied sounds) were more strongly associated with abstract paintings. Sound congruency increased the perceived meaningfulness, immersive experience and aesthetic value of paintings. Sound embodiment increased immersive experience of paintings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Judith Wolfe
- University of St
Andrews, School of Divinity, UK
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19
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Alashram AR, Annino G, Padua E. Rehabilitation interventions for cognitive deficits in stroke survivors: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2022:1-27. [PMID: 36194642 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2022.2130319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are one of the most common impairments after stroke. It negatively affects physical and social functioning. Rehabilitation interventions for cognitive deficits post-stroke have taken less consideration. The present study aimed to provide an overview of the effects of various rehabilitation interventions on cognitive functions in patients with stroke. PUBMED, SCOPUS, PEDro, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and REHABDATA were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of rehabilitation interventions on cognitive domains poststroke until August 2021. The methodological quality of the selected studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and the effect sizes were calculated. Forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 3561 individuals with stroke, 57.60% of whom were males. The mean age for all participants was 65.48 years. Eighteen RCTs were high, moderate (n = 17), and low methodological quality (n = 9). The results showed evidence for the beneficial effects of many rehabilitation interventions on cognition in individuals with stroke. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in improving cognitive functions in stroke patients with mild cognitive deficits. Virtual reality (VR), computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (CBCR), and non-aerobic exercises may promote cognitive functions in patients with stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas R Alashram
- Department of Physiotherapy, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Annino
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Elvira Padua
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
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20
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Distinguishing transient from persistent tactile agnosia after partial anterior circulation infarcts - Behavioral and neuroimaging evidence for white matter disconnection. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103193. [PMID: 36126517 PMCID: PMC9486662 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
From a cohort of 36 patients presenting apperceptive tactile agnosia after first cortical ischemic stroke, 14 showed temporary impairment at admission. A previous multi-voxel analysis of the cortical lesions, using as explanatory variable the course of tactile object recognition performance over the recovery period of 9 months, partitioned the cohort into three subgroups. Of the 14 patients constituting two of the subgroups, 7 recovered from their impairment whereas 7 did not. These two subgroups could not be distinguished at admission. The primary aim of the present study is to present two assessments that can do so. The first assessment comprises a pattern of behavioral measures, determined via principal component analysis, encoded in three tests: picking small objects, macrogeometrical discrimination and tactile object recognition. The receiver operating characteristic curve derived from permutation of the behavioral test scores yielded an 80% probability of correct identification of the patient subgroup and an 8% probability for false identification. As done with the permuted scores, the pattern could predict the persistence of affliction of new stroke patients with tactile agnosia. The second predictive assessment extends our previous evaluation of cortical MRI lesion maps to include subcortical regions. Confirming our previous study, the lesions of the persistently impaired subgroup disrupted significantly the anterior arcuatus fasciculus and associated superior longitudinal fasciculus III in the ipsilesional hemisphere, impeding reciprocal information transfer between supramarginal gyrus and both the ventral premotor cortex and Brodmann area 44. Due to the importance of interhemispheric information transfer in tactile agnosia, we performed a supplementary analysis of tactile object recognition scores. It showed that haptic information transfer from the non-affected to the affected hands in the persistent cases partly restored function during the nine months, possibly following restoration of functional interhemispheric haptic information transfer at the border of posterior corpus callosum and splenium. In conclusion, the combined findings of the cortical lesion at subarea PFt of the inferior parietal lobule and the associated subcortical tract lesions permit almost perfect prediction of persistent impairment of tactile object recognition. The study substantiates the need for combined analysis of both cortical lesions and white matter tract disconnections.
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21
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Williams R, Trentini C. Two modes of being together: The levels of intersubjectivity and human relatedness in neuroscience and psychoanalytic thinking. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:981366. [PMID: 36158615 PMCID: PMC9494563 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.981366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The notion of intersubjectivity has achieved a primary status in contemporary psychoanalytic debate, stimulating new theoretical proposals as well as controversies. This paper presents an overview of the main contributions on inter-subjectivity in the field of neurosciences. In humans as well as-probably-in other species, the ability for emotional resonance is guaranteed early in development. Based on this capacity, a primary sense of connectedness is established that can be defined inter-subjective in that it entails sharing affective states and intentions with caregivers. We propose to define such a form of inter-subjectivity as contingent, since the infant's early abilities for resonance do not imply the more generalized capacity to permanently conceive of the relationship outside the realm of current interactions and the infant-caregiver's mutual correspondence of internal states. This form of connection, hence, results in a self-referential, bodily, and affectively codified, context- and time dependent, like-me experience of interactions. The gradual maturation of brain structures and processes as well as interactive experiences allow proper intersubjectivity exchanges, grounded on new intentional and representational capacities, to evolve. In this more mature form of intersubjectivity, the individual is allowed to conceive of her own psychic space both as distinct and as possibly connected with the other's contents and experience, even in the absence of current behavioral indicators of such correspondence. This multi-layered model of intersubjectivity, which is embraced by current neuroscience research, seems to allow for new interpretations of psychoanalytic models of human relatedness based upon classic clinical observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Williams
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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22
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ERTÜRK Ç, MUTUŞ R. Activity of Mirror Neurons and Its Effect on Various Diseases. İSTANBUL GELIŞIM ÜNIVERSITESI SAĞLIK BILIMLERI DERGISI 2022. [DOI: 10.38079/igusabder.1142369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ayna nöronların nöroanatomik yapılanması ve işlevselliğinin araştırılması son yıllarda oldukça artmıştır. Özellikle nörolojik ve ortopedik hasta gruplarında uygulanan tedavi yaklaşımlarında pasif uygulamalar yerine hastanın katılımının olduğu aktif uygulamalar tercih edilmektedir. Bunun temel sebeplerinden birisi ayna nöronları ve birincil motor korteksi dâhil ederek tedaviyi kalıcı hale getirmeyi amaçlamaktır. Ayna nöronların fonksiyonel ve disfonksiyonel durumlarını ortaya koymak, tedavi seanslarında hastaların semptomlarını anlamada çok büyük katkı sağlamaktadır. Özellikle ayna nöronları aktive ederek planlanan ayna terapisi ile hastalar nöronal bağlantılarını yeniden yapılandırarak nöroplastik aktivite sağlarlar ve böylece iyileşme süreçlerine katkıda bulunmuş olurlar. Literatür taramalarında ayna nöronların aktivasyonlarının yer aldığı hastalıkların yapısal özellikleri birbirinden farklı olsa da ortak özellik olarak ayna nöronların aktive edilerek tedaviye katkı sağladığını söylemek mümkündür. Yapılan tedavi uygulamalarında, ilgili fonksiyonel hareketin hasta tarafından fiziksel olarak yapılmadığı durumlarda dahi bilişsel olarak hareketin yapıldığının imgelenmesi, ayna nöronları aktive ederek hastanın iyilik halini arttırdığı belirlenmiştir.
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23
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Mustile M, Kourtis D, Edwards MG, Donaldson DI, Ietswaart M. The neural response is heightened when watching a person approaching compared to walking away: Evidence for dynamic social neuroscience. Neuropsychologia 2022; 175:108352. [PMID: 36007672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The action observation network has been proposed to play a key role in predicting the action intentions (or goals) of others, thereby facilitating social interaction. Key information when interacting with others is whether someone (an agent) is moving towards or away from us, indicating whether we are likely to interact with the person. In addition, to determine the nature of a social interaction, we also need to take into consideration the distance of the agent relative to us as the observer. How this kind of information is processed within the brain is unknown, at least in part because prior studies have not involved live whole-body motion. Consequently, here we recorded mobile EEG in 18 healthy participants, assessing the neural response to the modulation of direction (walking towards or away) and distance (near vs. far distance) during the observation of an agent walking. We evaluated whether cortical alpha and beta oscillations were modulated differently by direction and distance during action observation. We found that alpha was only modulated by distance, with a stronger decrease of power when the agent was further away from the observer, regardless of direction. Critically, by contrast, beta was found to be modulated by both distance and direction, with a stronger decrease of power when the agent was near and facing the participant (walking towards) compared to when they were near but viewed from the back (walking away). Analysis revealed differences in both the timing and distribution of alpha and beta oscillations. We argue that these data suggest a full understanding of action observation requires a new dynamic neuroscience, investigating actual interactions between real people, in real world environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Mustile
- Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.
| | - Dimitrios Kourtis
- Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Martin G Edwards
- Institute of Research in the Psychological Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain- la- Neuve, Belgium
| | - David I Donaldson
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Magdalena Ietswaart
- Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
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24
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Thompson EL, Bird G, Catmur C. Mirror neuron brain regions contribute to identifying actions, but not intentions. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:4901-4913. [PMID: 35906896 PMCID: PMC9582378 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have struggled to determine the relationship between mirror neuron brain regions and two distinct “action understanding” processes: identifying actions and identifying the intentions underlying those actions. This may be because the identification of intentions from others' actions requires an initial action identification process. Disruptive transcranial magnetic stimulation was administered to left inferior frontal gyrus (lIFG) during a novel cognitive task to determine which of these “action understanding” processes is subserved by mirror neuron brain regions. Participants identified either the actions performed by observed hand actions or the intentions underlying those actions. The extent to which intention identification was disrupted by lIFG (vs. control site) stimulation was dependent on the level of disruption to action identification. We subsequently performed functional magnetic resonance imaging during the same task. During action identification, responses were widespread within mirror neuron areas including lIFG and inferior parietal lobule. However, no independent responses were found in mirror neuron brain regions during intention identification. Instead, responses occurred in brain regions associated with two distinct mentalizing localizer tasks. This supports an account in which mirror neuron brain regions are involved in an initial action identification process, but the subsequent identification of intentions requires additional processing in mentalizing brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Thompson
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Geoffrey Bird
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Caroline Catmur
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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25
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Sarasso P, Francesetti G, Roubal J, Gecele M, Ronga I, Neppi-Modona M, Sacco K. Beauty and Uncertainty as Transformative Factors: A Free Energy Principle Account of Aesthetic Diagnosis and Intervention in Gestalt Psychotherapy. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:906188. [PMID: 35911596 PMCID: PMC9325967 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.906188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drawing from field theory, Gestalt therapy conceives psychological suffering and psychotherapy as two intentional field phenomena, where unprocessed and chaotic experiences seek the opportunity to emerge and be assimilated through the contact between the patient and the therapist (i.e., the intentionality of contacting). This therapeutic approach is based on the therapist’s aesthetic experience of his/her embodied presence in the flow of the healing process because (1) the perception of beauty can provide the therapist with feedback on the assimilation of unprocessed experiences; (2) the therapist’s attentional focus on intrinsic aesthetic diagnostic criteria can facilitate the modification of rigid psychopathological fields by supporting the openness to novel experiences. The aim of the present manuscript is to review recent evidence from psychophysiology, neuroaesthetic research, and neurocomputational models of cognition, such as the free energy principle (FEP), which support the notion of the therapeutic potential of aesthetic sensibility in Gestalt psychotherapy. Drawing from neuroimaging data, psychophysiology and recent neurocognitive accounts of aesthetic perception, we propose a novel interpretation of the sense of beauty as a self-generated reward motivating us to assimilate an ever-greater spectrum of sensory and affective states in our predictive representation of ourselves and the world and supporting the intentionality of contact. Expecting beauty, in the psychotherapeutic encounter, can help therapists tolerate uncertainty avoiding impulsive behaviours and to stay tuned to the process of change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Sarasso
- BraIn Plasticity and Behaviour Changes Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- *Correspondence: Pietro Sarasso,
| | - Gianni Francesetti
- International Institute for Gestalt Therapy and Psychopathology, Turin Center for Gestalt Therapy, Turin, Italy
| | - Jan Roubal
- Psychotherapy Training Gestalt Studia, Training in Psychotherapy Integration, Center for Psychotherapy Research in Brno, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Michela Gecele
- International Institute for Gestalt Therapy and Psychopathology, Turin Center for Gestalt Therapy, Turin, Italy
| | - Irene Ronga
- BraIn Plasticity and Behaviour Changes Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Neppi-Modona
- BraIn Plasticity and Behaviour Changes Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Katiuscia Sacco
- BraIn Plasticity and Behaviour Changes Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Terrace HS, Bigelow AE, Beebe B. Intersubjectivity and the Emergence of Words. Front Psychol 2022; 13:693139. [PMID: 35602746 PMCID: PMC9116197 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.693139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intersubjectivity refers to two non-verbal intersubjective relations infants experience during their first year that are precursors to the emergence of words. Trevarthen, a pioneer in the study of intersubjectivity, referred to those relations as primary and secondary intersubjectivity. The former, a dyadic coordination between the infant and her caregiver, begins at birth. The latter, a triadic coordination that develops around 9 months, allows the infant and a caregiver to share attention to particular features of the environment. Secondary intersubjectivity is crucial for an infant’s ability to begin to produce words, at around 12 months. Much research on the social and cognitive origins of language has focused on secondary intersubjectivity. That is unfortunate because it neglects the fact that secondary intersubjectivity and the emergence of words are built on a foundation of primary intersubjectivity. It also ignores the evolutionary origins of intersubjectivity and its uniquely human status. That unique status explains why only humans learn words. This article seeks to address these issues by relating the literature on primary intersubjectivity, particularly research on bi-directional and contingent communication between infants and mothers, to joint attention and ultimately to words. In that context, we also discuss Hrdy’s hypothesis about the influence of alloparents on the evolution of intersubjectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert S Terrace
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ann E Bigelow
- Department of Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada
| | - Beatrice Beebe
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY, United States
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Errante A, Saviola D, Cantoni M, Iannuzzelli K, Ziccarelli S, Togni F, Simonini M, Malchiodi C, Bertoni D, Inzaghi MG, Bozzetti F, Menozzi R, Quarenghi A, Quarenghi P, Bosone D, Fogassi L, Salvi GP, De Tanti A. Effectiveness of action observation therapy based on virtual reality technology in the motor rehabilitation of paretic stroke patients: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:109. [PMID: 35317736 PMCID: PMC8939064 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02640-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rehabilitation of paretic stroke patients uses a wide range of intervention programs to improve the function of impaired upper limb. A new rehabilitative approach, called action observation therapy (AOT) is based on the discovery of mirror neurons and has been used to improve the motor functions of adult stroke patients and children with cerebral palsy. Recently, virtual reality (VR) has provided the potential to increase the frequency and effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment by offering challenging and motivating tasks. METHODS: The purpose of the present project is to design a randomized controlled six-month follow-up trial (RCT) to evaluate whether action observation (AO) added to standard VR (AO + VR) is effective in improving upper limb function in patients with stroke, compared with a control treatment consisting of observation of naturalistic scenes (CO) without any action content, followed by VR training (CO + VR). DISCUSSION AO + VR treatment may provide an addition to the rehabilitative interventions currently available for recovery after stroke and could be utilized within standard sensorimotor training or in individualized tele-rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial has been prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05163210 . 17 December 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Errante
- Diagnostic Department, Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Donatella Saviola
- Cardinal Ferrari Center, S. Stefano Riabilitazione, Fontanellato, Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Cantoni
- Cardinal Ferrari Center, S. Stefano Riabilitazione, Fontanellato, Parma, Italy
| | - Katia Iannuzzelli
- Cardinal Ferrari Center, S. Stefano Riabilitazione, Fontanellato, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Togni
- Quarenghi Clinical Institute, San Pellegrino Terme, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Carolina Malchiodi
- Cardinal Ferrari Center, S. Stefano Riabilitazione, Fontanellato, Parma, Italy
| | - Debora Bertoni
- Cardinal Ferrari Center, S. Stefano Riabilitazione, Fontanellato, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Bozzetti
- Diagnostic Department, Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Menozzi
- Diagnostic Department, Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Paola Quarenghi
- Quarenghi Clinical Institute, San Pellegrino Terme, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Daniele Bosone
- Quarenghi Clinical Institute, San Pellegrino Terme, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Leonardo Fogassi
- Diagnostic Department, Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Gian Piero Salvi
- Quarenghi Clinical Institute, San Pellegrino Terme, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Antonio De Tanti
- Cardinal Ferrari Center, S. Stefano Riabilitazione, Fontanellato, Parma, Italy
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Giannakopoulos I, Karanika P, Papaxanthis C, Tsaklis P. The Effects of Action Observation Therapy as a Rehabilitation Tool in Parkinson’s Disease Patients: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063311. [PMID: 35329000 PMCID: PMC8949895 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During Action Observation (AO), patients observe human movements that they then try to imitate physically. Until now, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of it in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, due to the diversity of interventions, it is unclear how the dose and characteristics can affect its efficiency. We investigated the AO protocols used in PD, by discussing the intervention features and the outcome measures in relation to their efficacy. A search was conducted through MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane, and WoS until November 2021, for RCTs with AO interventions. Participant’s characteristics, treatment features, outcome measures, and main results were extracted from each study. Results were gathered into a quantitative synthesis (MD and 95% CI) for each time point. Seven studies were included in the review, with 227 participants and a mean PEDro score of 6.7. These studies reported positive effects of AO in PD patients, mainly on walking ability and typical motor signs of PD like freezing of gait. However, disagreements among authors exist, mainly due to the heterogeneity of the intervention features. In overall, AO improves functional abilities and motor control in PD patients, with the intervention dose and the characteristics of the stimulus playing a decisive role in its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Giannakopoulos
- Biomechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science (DPESS), University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (I.G.); (P.K.); (C.P.)
| | - Panagiota Karanika
- Biomechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science (DPESS), University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (I.G.); (P.K.); (C.P.)
| | - Charalambos Papaxanthis
- Biomechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science (DPESS), University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (I.G.); (P.K.); (C.P.)
- L’Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) INSERM 1093 CAPS (Cognition, Action et Plasticité Sensorimotrice), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences du Sport, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Pôle Recherche et Santé Publique, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Panagiotis Tsaklis
- Biomechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science (DPESS), University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (I.G.); (P.K.); (C.P.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Growth and Metabolism, Karolinska Institute, 17164 Solna, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-24310-47006
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29
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Becker Y, Claidière N, Margiotoudi K, Marie D, Roth M, Nazarian B, Anton JL, Coulon O, Meguerditchian A. Broca area homologue's asymmetry reflects gestural communication lateralisation in monkeys (Papio anubis). eLife 2022; 11:70521. [PMID: 35108197 PMCID: PMC8846582 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Manual gestures and speech recruit a common neural network, involving Broca’s area in the left hemisphere. Such speech-gesture integration gave rise to theories on the critical role of manual gesturing in the origin of language. Within this evolutionary framework, research on gestural communication in our closer primate relatives has received renewed attention for investigating its potential language-like features. Here, using in vivo anatomical MRI in 50 baboons, we found that communicative gesturing is related to Broca homologue’s marker in monkeys, namely the ventral portion of the Inferior Arcuate sulcus (IA sulcus). In fact, both direction and degree of gestural communication’s handedness – but not handedness for object manipulation are associated and correlated with contralateral depth asymmetry at this exact IA sulcus portion. In other words, baboons that prefer to communicate with their right hand have a deeper left-than-right IA sulcus, than those preferring to communicate with their left hand and vice versa. Interestingly, in contrast to handedness for object manipulation, gestural communication’s lateralisation is not associated to the Central sulcus depth asymmetry, suggesting a double dissociation of handedness’ types between manipulative action and gestural communication. It is thus not excluded that this specific gestural lateralisation signature within the baboons’ frontal cortex might reflect a phylogenetical continuity with language-related Broca lateralisation in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Becker
- UMR7290, Laboratoire de Psychologie Cognitive, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Claidière
- UMR7290, Laboratoire de Psychologie Cognitive, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Konstantina Margiotoudi
- UMR7290, Laboratoire de Psychologie Cognitive, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Damien Marie
- UMR7290, Laboratoire de Psychologie Cognitive, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Muriel Roth
- Centre IRMf Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Nazarian
- Centre IRM Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Luc Anton
- Centre IRM Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Coulon
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Adrien Meguerditchian
- Laboratoire de Psychologie Cognitive, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
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30
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Yokoyama C, Autio JA, Ikeda T, Sallet J, Mars RB, Van Essen DC, Glasser MF, Sadato N, Hayashi T. Comparative connectomics of the primate social brain. Neuroimage 2021; 245:118693. [PMID: 34732327 PMCID: PMC9159291 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Social interaction is thought to provide a selection pressure for human intelligence, yet little is known about its neurobiological basis and evolution throughout the primate lineage. Recent advances in neuroimaging have enabled whole brain investigation of brain structure, function, and connectivity in humans and non-human primates (NHPs), leading to a nascent field of comparative connectomics. However, linking social behavior to brain organization across the primates remains challenging. Here, we review the current understanding of the macroscale neural mechanisms of social behaviors from the viewpoint of system neuroscience. We first demonstrate an association between the number of cortical neurons and the size of social groups across primates, suggesting a link between neural information-processing capacity and social capabilities. Moreover, by capitalizing on recent advances in species-harmonized functional MRI, we demonstrate that portions of the mirror neuron system and default-mode networks, which are thought to be important for representation of the other's actions and sense of self, respectively, exhibit similarities in functional organization in macaque monkeys and humans, suggesting possible homologies. With respect to these two networks, we describe recent developments in the neurobiology of social perception, joint attention, personality and social complexity. Together, the Human Connectome Project (HCP)-style comparative neuroimaging, hyperscanning, behavioral, and other multi-modal investigations are expected to yield important insights into the evolutionary foundations of human social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Yokoyama
- Laboratory for Brain Connectomics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Joonas A Autio
- Laboratory for Brain Connectomics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Takuro Ikeda
- Laboratory for Brain Connectomics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Jérôme Sallet
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom; University of Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, Bron, France
| | - Rogier B Mars
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - David C Van Essen
- Departments of Neuroscience, Washington University Medical School, St Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Matthew F Glasser
- Departments of Neuroscience, Washington University Medical School, St Louis, MO, United States of America; Department of Radiology, Washington University Medical School, St Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Norihiro Sadato
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan; The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Hayashi
- Laboratory for Brain Connectomics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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31
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Decroix J, Ott L, Morgado N, Kalénine S. Can the early visual processing of others' actions be related to social power and dominance? PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 86:1858-1870. [PMID: 34802076 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-021-01617-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Although goals often drive action understanding, this ability is also prone to important variability among individuals, which may have its origin in individual social characteristics. The present study aimed at evaluating the relationship between the tendency to prioritize goal information over grip information during early visual processing of action and several social dimensions. Visual processing of grip and goal information during action recognition was evaluated in 64 participants using the priming protocol developed by Decroix and Kalénine (Exp Brain Res 236(8):2411-2426, 2018). Object-directed action photographs were primed by photographs sharing the same goal and/or the same grip. The effects of goal and grip priming on action recognition were evaluated for different prime durations. The same participants further fulfilled questionnaires characterizing the way individuals deal with their social environment, namely their sense of social power, dominance, perspective taking, and construal level. At the group level, results confirmed greater goal than grip priming effects on action recognition for the shortest prime duration. Regression analyses between the pattern of response times in the action priming protocol and scores at the questionnaires further showed that the advantage of goal over grip priming was associated with higher sense of social power, and possibly to lower dominance. Overall, data confirm that observers tend to prioritize goal-related information when processing visual actions but further indicate that this tendency is sensitive to individual social characteristics. Results suggest that goal information may not always drive action understanding and point out the connection between low-level processing of observed actions and more general individual characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Decroix
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193, SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Laurent Ott
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193, SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Morgado
- Univ. Paris Nanterre, LICAÉ-Laboratoire Sur Les Interactions Cognition-Action-Émotion, Nanterre, France
| | - Solène Kalénine
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193, SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, 59000, Lille, France.
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32
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The Imitation Game in Children With Tourette Syndrome: A Lack of Impulse Control to Mirror Environmental Stimuli. Motor Control 2021; 26:92-96. [PMID: 34768240 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2021-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The learning process in humans requires continuous contacts with environmental stimuli, especially during neurodevelopmental growth. These functions are assisted by the coding potential of mirror neurons to serve social interactions. This ability to learn imitating the observed behavior is no longer necessary during adulthood, and control mechanisms prevent automatic mirroring. However, children with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome could encounter coding errors at the level of the mirror neurons system as these cortical regions are themselves the ones affected in the syndrome. Combined with impulsivity, the resulting sign would be a manifest echopraxia that persists throughout adulthood, averting these individuals from the appraisal of a spot-on motor control.
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Fischer J, Mahon BZ. What tool representation, intuitive physics, and action have in common: The brain's first-person physics engine. Cogn Neuropsychol 2021; 38:455-467. [PMID: 35994054 DOI: 10.1080/02643294.2022.2106126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
An overlapping set of brain regions in parietal and frontal cortex are engaged by different types of tasks and stimuli: (i) making inferences about the physical structure and dynamics of the world, (ii) passively viewing, or actively interacting with, manipulable objects, and (iii) planning and execution of reaching and grasping actions. We suggest the observed neural overlap is because a common superordinate computation is engaged by each of those different tasks: A forward model of physical reasoning about how first-person actions will affect the world and be affected by unfolding physical events. This perspective offers an account of why some physical predictions are systematically incorrect - there can be a mismatch between how physical scenarios are experimentally framed and the native format of the inferences generated by the brain's first-person physics engine. This perspective generates new empirical expectations about the conditions under which physical reasoning may exhibit systematic biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Fischer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bradford Z Mahon
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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34
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Brezack N, Meyer M, Woodward AL. Three-year-olds' Perspective-taking in Social Interactions: Relations with Socio-cognitive Skills. JOURNAL OF COGNITION AND DEVELOPMENT 2021; 22:537-560. [PMID: 34421393 PMCID: PMC8378667 DOI: 10.1080/15248372.2021.1901713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Understanding others’ perspectives and integrating this knowledge
in social interactions is challenging for young children; even adults struggle
with this skill. While young children show the capacity to understand what
others can and cannot see under supportive laboratory conditions, more research
is necessary to understand how children implement their perspective-taking (PT)
skill during interactions and which socio-cognitive skills support their ability
to do so. This preregistered study examined children’s Level 1 visual PT
in a real-time social interaction and tested whether social-cognitive skills
(focusing on inhibition of imitation) predicted PT. Thirty-six 3-year-old
children (mean age: 37.3 months) participated in a PT task and responded
implicitly (via eye gaze) and explicitly (via toy choice) to situations where
their communicative partner could see some objects but not others.
Three-year-olds demonstrated sensitivity to another’s perspective via
implicit responses, but did not consistently take their partner’s
perspective into account in their actions when considering objects their partner
could not see. Contrary to adult findings, children who struggled to inhibit
imitating (those more affected by another’s actions) demonstrated better
PT, again when considering objects outside their partner’s sight. Thus,
3-year-olds’ sensitivity to others’ perspectives was robust, while
acting on PT knowledge may still be developing; further,
children more affected by another’s actions demonstrated improved PT
skills.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marlene Meyer
- University of Chicago, USA.,Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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35
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Meyer M, Chung H, Debnath R, Fox N, Woodward AL. Social context shapes neural processing of others' actions in 9-month-old infants. J Exp Child Psychol 2021; 213:105260. [PMID: 34390926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2021.105260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
From infancy, neural processes for perceiving others' actions and producing one's own actions overlap (neural mirroring). Adults and children show enhanced mirroring in social interactions. Yet, whether social context affects mirroring in infancy, a time when processing others' actions is crucial for action learning, remains unclear. We examined whether turn-taking, an early form of social interaction, enhanced 9-month-olds' neural mirroring. We recorded electroencephalography while 9-month-olds were grasping (execution) and observing live grasps (observation). In this design, half of the infants observed and acted in alternation (turn-taking condition), whereas the other half observed several times in a row before acting (blocked condition). Replicating previous findings, infants showed significant 6- to 9-Hz mu suppression (indicating motor activation) during execution and observation (n = 24). In addition, a condition (turn-taking or blocked) by time (action start or end) interaction indicated that infants engaged in turn-taking (n = 9), but not in the blocked context (n = 15), showed more mirroring when observing the action start compared with the action end. Exploratory analyses further suggest that (a) there is higher visual-motor functional connectivity in turn-taking toward the action's end, (b) mirroring relates to later visual-motor connectivity, and (c) visual attention as indexed by occipital alpha is enhanced in turn-taking compared with the blocked context. Together, this suggests that the neural processing of others' actions is modulated by the social context in infancy and that turn-taking may be particularly effective in engaging infants' action perception system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Meyer
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Donders Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Haerin Chung
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ranjan Debnath
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nathan Fox
- Child Development Lab, Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Amanda L Woodward
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Vanti C, Ferrari S, Guccione AA, Pillastrini P. Lumbar spondylolisthesis: STATE of the art on assessment and conservative treatment. Arch Physiother 2021; 11:19. [PMID: 34372944 PMCID: PMC8351422 DOI: 10.1186/s40945-021-00113-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is weak relationship between the presence of lumbar spondylolisthesis [SPL] and low back pain that is not always associated with instability, either at the involved lumbar segment or at different spinal levels. Therefore patients with lumbar symptomatic SPL can be divided into stable and unstable, based on the level of mobility during flexion and extension movements as general classifications for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Different opinions persist about best treatment (conservative vs. surgical) and among conservative treatments, on the type, dosage, and progression of physical therapy procedures. PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE TO PRACTICE The aim of this Masterclass is to provide clinicians evidence-based indications for assessment and conservative treatment of SPL, taking into consideration some subgroups related to specific clinical presentations. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS This Masterclass addresses the different phases of the assessment of a patient with SPL, including history, imaging, physical exam, and questionnaires on disability and cognitive-behavioral components. Regarding conservative treatment, self- management approaches and graded supervised training, including therapeutic relationships, information and education, are explained. Primary therapeutic procedures for pain control, recovery of the function and the mobility through therapeutic exercise, passive mobilization and antalgic techniques are suggested. Moreover, some guidance is provided on conservative treatment in specific clinical presentations (lumbar SPL with radiating pain and/or lumbar stenosis, SPL complicated by other factors, and SPL in adolescents) and the number/duration of sessions. FUTURE RESEARCH PRIORITIES Some steps to improve the diagnostic-therapeutic approach in SPL are to identify the best cluster of clinical tests, define different lumbar SPL subgroups, and investigate the effects of treatments based on that classification, similarly to the approach already proposed for non-specific LBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Vanti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvano Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrew A. Guccione
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA
| | - Paolo Pillastrini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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37
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Angelini M, Del Vecchio M, Lopomo NF, Gobbo M, Avanzini P. Perspective-dependent activation of frontoparietal circuits during the observation of a static body effector. Brain Res 2021; 1769:147604. [PMID: 34332965 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The perspective from which body-related stimuli are observed plays a fundamental role in modulating cerebral activity during the processing of others' bodies and actions. Previous research has shown perspective-dependent cerebral responses during the observation of both ongoing actions and static images of an acting body with implied motion information, with an advantage for the egocentric viewpoint. The present high-density EEG study assessed event-related potentials triggered by the presentation of a forearm at rest before reach-to-grasp actions, shown from four different viewpoints. Through a spatiotemporal analysis of the scalp electric field and the localization of cortical generators, our study revealed overall different processing for the third-person perspective relative to other viewpoints, mainly due to a later activation of motor-premotor regions. Since observing a static body effector often precedes action observation, our results integrate previous evidence of perspective-dependent encoding, with cascade implications on the design of neurorehabilitative or motor learning interventions based on action observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Angelini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Neuroscienze, Sede di Parma, Parma, Italy; Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Maria Del Vecchio
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Neuroscienze, Sede di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Nicola Francesco Lopomo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Gobbo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Sperimentali, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Pietro Avanzini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Neuroscienze, Sede di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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38
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Di Tella S, Blasi V, Cabinio M, Bergsland N, Buccino G, Baglio F. How Do We Motorically Resonate in Aging? A Compensatory Role of Prefrontal Cortex. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:694676. [PMID: 34393758 PMCID: PMC8358457 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.694676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is the major risk factor for chronic age-related neurological diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and neurovascular injuries. Exploiting the multimodal nature of the Mirror Neuron System (MNS), rehabilitative interventions have been proposed based on motor-resonance mechanisms in recent years. Despite the considerable evidence of the MNS’ functionality in young adults, further investigation of the action-observation matching system is required in aging, where well-known structural and functional brain changes occur. Twenty-one healthy young adults (mean age 26.66y) and 19 healthy elderly participants (mean age 71.47y) underwent a single MRI evaluation including a T1-3D high-resolution and functional MRI (fMRI) with mirror task. Morphological and functional BOLD data were derived from MRI images to highlight cortical activations associated with the task; to detect differences between the two groups (Young, Elderly) in the two MRI indexes (BOLD and thickness z-scores) using mixed factorial ANOVA (Group∗Index analyses); and to investigate the presence of different cortical lateralization of the BOLD signal in the two groups. In the entire sample, the activation of a bilateral MNS fronto-parietal network was highlighted. The mixed ANOVA (pFDR-corr < 0.05) revealed significant interactions between BOLD signal and cortical thickness in left dorsal premotor cortex, right ventral premotor and prefrontal cortices. A different cortical lateralization of the BOLD signal in frontal lobe activity between groups was also found. Data herein reported suggest that age-related cortical thinning of the MNS is coupled with increased interhemispheric symmetry along with premotor and prefrontal cortex recruitment. These physiological changes of MNS resemble the aging of the motor and cognitive neural systems, suggesting specific but also common aging and compensatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Di Tella
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Blasi
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
| | - Monia Cabinio
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
| | - Niels Bergsland
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Giovanni Buccino
- Divisione di Neuroscienze, Università Vita e Salute San Raffaele e Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Baglio
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
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Savaki HE, Kavroulakis E, Papadaki E, Maris TG, Simos PG. Action Observation Responses Are Influenced by Movement Kinematics and Target Identity. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:490-503. [PMID: 34259867 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to inform the debate whether cortical areas related to action observation provide a pragmatic or a semantic representation of goal-directed actions, we performed 2 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments in humans. The first experiment, involving observation of aimless arm movements, resulted in activation of most of the components known to support action execution and action observation. Given the absence of a target/goal in this experiment and the activation of parieto-premotor cortical areas, which were associated in the past with direction, amplitude, and velocity of movement of biological effectors, our findings suggest that during action observation we could be monitoring movement kinematics. With the second, double dissociation fMRI experiment, we revealed the components of the observation-related cortical network affected by 1) actions that have the same target/goal but different reaching and grasping kinematics and 2) actions that have very similar kinematics but different targets/goals. We found that certain areas related to action observation, including the mirror neuron ones, are informed about movement kinematics and/or target identity, hence providing a pragmatic rather than a semantic representation of goal-directed actions. Overall, our findings support a process-driven simulation-like mechanism of action understanding, in agreement with the theory of motor cognition, and question motor theories of action concept processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen E Savaki
- Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Kavroulakis
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece
| | - Efrosini Papadaki
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece.,Computational Bio-Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece
| | - Thomas G Maris
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece.,Computational Bio-Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece
| | - Panagiotis G Simos
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece.,Computational Bio-Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Iraklion, Crete 70013, Greece
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Cléry JC, Hori Y, Schaeffer DJ, Menon RS, Everling S. Neural network of social interaction observation in marmosets. eLife 2021; 10:e65012. [PMID: 33787492 PMCID: PMC8024015 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A crucial component of social cognition is to observe and understand the social interactions of other individuals. A promising nonhuman primate model for investigating the neural basis of social interaction observation is the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a small New World primate that shares a rich social repertoire with humans. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging acquired at 9.4 T to map the brain areas activated by social interaction observation in awake marmosets. We discovered a network of subcortical and cortical areas, predominately in the anterior lateral frontal and medial frontal cortex, that was specifically activated by social interaction observation. This network resembled that recently identified in Old World macaque monkeys. Our findings suggest that this network is largely conserved between New and Old World primates and support the use of marmosets for studying the neural basis of social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine C Cléry
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
| | - Yuki Hori
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
| | - David J Schaeffer
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of NeurobiologyPittsburghUnited States
| | - Ravi S Menon
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
| | - Stefan Everling
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
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41
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A New Neurorehabilitative Postsurgery Intervention for Facial Palsy Based on Smile Observation and Hand-Mouth Motor Synergies. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:8890541. [PMID: 33833792 PMCID: PMC8016575 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8890541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To perform a preliminary test of a new rehabilitation treatment (FIT-SAT), based on mirror mechanisms, for gracile muscles after smile surgery. Method A pre- and postsurgery longitudinal design was adopted to study the efficacy of FIT-SAT. Four patients with bilateral facial nerve paralysis (Moebius syndrome) were included. They underwent two surgeries with free muscle transfers, one year apart from each other. The side of the face first operated on was rehabilitated with the traditional treatment, while the second side was rehabilitated with FIT-SAT. The FIT-SAT treatment includes video clips of an actor performing a unilateral or a bilateral smile to be imitated (FIT condition). In addition to this, while smiling, the participants close their hand in order to exploit the overlapped cortical motor representation of the hand and the mouth, which may facilitate the synergistic activity of the two effectors during the early phases of recruitment of the transplanted muscles (SAT). The treatment was also aimed at avoiding undesired movements such as teeth grinding. Discussion. Results support FIT-SAT as a viable alternative for smile rehabilitation after free muscle transfer. We propose that the treatment potentiates the effect of smile observation by activating the same neural structures responsible for the execution of the smile and therefore by facilitating its production. Closing of the hand induces cortical recruitment of hand motor neurons, recruiting the transplanted muscles, and reducing the risk of associating other unwanted movements such as teeth clenching to the smile movements.
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42
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Rapan L, Froudist-Walsh S, Niu M, Xu T, Funck T, Zilles K, Palomero-Gallagher N. Multimodal 3D atlas of the macaque monkey motor and premotor cortex. Neuroimage 2021; 226:117574. [PMID: 33221453 PMCID: PMC8168280 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study we reevaluated the parcellation scheme of the macaque frontal agranular cortex by implementing quantitative cytoarchitectonic and multireceptor analyses, with the purpose to integrate and reconcile the discrepancies between previously published maps of this region. We applied an observer-independent and statistically testable approach to determine the position of cytoarchitectonic borders. Analysis of the regional and laminar distribution patterns of 13 different transmitter receptors confirmed the position of cytoarchitectonically identified borders. Receptor densities were extracted from each area and visualized as its "receptor fingerprint". Hierarchical and principal components analyses were conducted to detect clusters of areas according to the degree of (dis)similarity of their fingerprints. Finally, functional connectivity pattern of each identified area was analyzed with areas of prefrontal, cingulate, somatosensory and lateral parietal cortex and the results were depicted as "connectivity fingerprints" and seed-to-vertex connectivity maps. We identified 16 cyto- and receptor architectonically distinct areas, including novel subdivisions of the primary motor area 4 (i.e. 4a, 4p, 4m) and of premotor areas F4 (i.e. F4s, F4d, F4v), F5 (i.e. F5s, F5d, F5v) and F7 (i.e. F7d, F7i, F7s). Multivariate analyses of receptor fingerprints revealed three clusters, which first segregated the subdivisions of area 4 with F4d and F4s from the remaining premotor areas, then separated ventrolateral from dorsolateral and medial premotor areas. The functional connectivity analysis revealed that medial and dorsolateral premotor and motor areas show stronger functional connectivity with areas involved in visual processing, whereas 4p and ventrolateral premotor areas presented a stronger functional connectivity with areas involved in somatomotor responses. For the first time, we provide a 3D atlas integrating cyto- and multi-receptor architectonic features of the macaque motor and premotor cortex. This atlas constitutes a valuable resource for the analysis of functional experiments carried out with non-human primates, for modeling approaches with realistic synaptic dynamics, as well as to provide insights into how brain functions have developed by changes in the underlying microstructure and encoding strategies during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucija Rapan
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | | | - Meiqi Niu
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ting Xu
- Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, New York
| | - Thomas Funck
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Karl Zilles
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Nicola Palomero-Gallagher
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, and JARA - Translational Brain Medicine, Aachen, Germany; C. & O. Vogt Institute for Brain Research, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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43
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Errante A, Ziccarelli S, Mingolla G, Fogassi L. Grasping and Manipulation: Neural Bases and Anatomical Circuitry in Humans. Neuroscience 2021; 458:203-212. [PMID: 33516776 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Neurophysiological and neuroimaging evidence suggests a significant contribution of several brain areas, including subdivisions of the parietal and the premotor cortex, during the processing of different components of hand and arm movements. Many investigations improved our knowledge about the neural processes underlying the execution of reaching and grasping actions, while few studies have directly investigated object manipulation. Most studies on the latter topic concern the use of tools to achieve specific goals. Yet, there are very few studies on pure manipulation performed in order to explore and recognize objects, as well as on manipulation performed with a high level of manual dexterity. Another dimension that is quite neglected by the available studies on grasping and manipulation is, on the one hand, the contribution of the subcortical nodes, first of all the basal ganglia and cerebellum, to these functions, and, on the other hand, recurrent connections of these structures with cortical areas. In the first part, we have reviewed the parieto-premotor and subcortical circuits underlying reaching and grasping in humans, with a focus on functional neuroimaging data. Then, we have described the main structures recruited during object manipulation. We have also reported the contribution of recent structural connectivity techniques whereby the cortico-cortical and cortico-subcortical connections of grasping-related and manipulation-related areas in the human brain can be determined. Based on our review, we have concluded that studies on cortical and subcortical circuits involved in grasping and manipulation might be promising to provide new insights about motor learning and brain plasticity in patients with motor disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Errante
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Settimio Ziccarelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Gloria Mingolla
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Leonardo Fogassi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno 39, 43125 Parma, Italy.
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44
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Tanaka S. Mirror Neuron Activity During Audiovisual Appreciation of Opera Performance. Front Psychol 2021; 11:563031. [PMID: 33584402 PMCID: PMC7873040 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.563031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Opera is a performing art in which music plays the leading role, and the acting of singers has a synergistic effect with the music. The mirror neuron system represents the neurophysiological mechanism underlying the coupling of perception and action. Mirror neuron activity is modulated by the appropriateness of actions and clarity of intentions, as well as emotional expression and aesthetic values. Therefore, it would be reasonable to assume that an opera performance induces mirror neuron activity in the audience so that the performer effectively shares an embodied performance with the audience. However, it is uncertain which aspect of opera performance induces mirror neuron activity. It is hypothesized that although auditory stimuli could induce mirror neuron activity, audiovisual perception of stage performance is the primary inducer of mirror neuron activity. To test this hypothesis, this study sought to correlate opera performance with brain activity as measured by electroencephalography (EEG) in singers while watching an opera performance with sounds or while listening to an aria without visual stimulus. We detected mirror neuron activity by observing that the EEG power in the alpha frequency band (8-13 Hz) was selectively decreased in the frontal-central-parietal area when watching an opera performance. In the auditory condition, however, the alpha-band power did not change relative to the resting condition. This study illustrates that the audiovisual perception of an opera performance engages the mirror neuron system in its audience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Tanaka
- Department of Information and Communication Sciences, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
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45
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Sadeghi S, Mier D, Gerchen MF, Schmidt SNL, Hass J. Dynamic Causal Modeling for fMRI With Wilson-Cowan-Based Neuronal Equations. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:593867. [PMID: 33328865 PMCID: PMC7728993 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.593867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) is an analysis technique that has been successfully used to infer about directed connectivity between brain regions based on imaging data such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Most variants of DCM for fMRI rely on a simple bilinear differential equation for neural activation, making it difficult to interpret the results in terms of local neural dynamics. In this work, we introduce a modification to DCM for fMRI by replacing the bilinear equation with a non-linear Wilson-Cowan based equation and use Bayesian Model Comparison (BMC) to show that this modification improves the model evidences. Improved model evidence of the non-linear model is shown for our empirical data (imitation of facial expressions) and validated by synthetic data as well as an empirical test dataset (attention to visual motion) used in previous foundational papers. For our empirical data, we conduct the analysis for a group of 42 healthy participants who performed an imitation task, activating regions putatively containing the human mirror neuron system (MNS). In this regard, we build 540 models as one family for comparing the standard bilinear with the modified Wilson-Cowan models on the family-level. Using this modification, we can interpret the sigmoid transfer function as an averaged f-I curve of many neurons in a single region with a sigmoidal format. In this way, we can make a direct inference from the macroscopic model to detailed microscopic models. The new DCM variant shows superior model evidence on all tested data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadjad Sadeghi
- Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Heidelberg/Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Mier
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Martin F Gerchen
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Heidelberg/Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Joachim Hass
- Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Heidelberg/Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Faculty of Applied Psychology, SRH University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Chame HF, Ahmadi A, Tani J. A Hybrid Human-Neurorobotics Approach to Primary Intersubjectivity via Active Inference. Front Psychol 2020; 11:584869. [PMID: 33335499 PMCID: PMC7736637 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.584869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Interdisciplinary efforts from developmental psychology, phenomenology, and philosophy of mind, have studied the rudiments of social cognition and conceptualized distinct forms of intersubjective communication and interaction at human early life. Interaction theorists consider primary intersubjectivity a non-mentalist, pre-theoretical, non-conceptual sort of processes that ground a certain level of communication and understanding, and provide support to higher-level cognitive skills. We argue the study of human/neurorobot interaction consists in a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of underlying mechanisms in social cognition through synthetic modeling, while allowing to examine a second person experiential (2PP) access to intersubjectivity in embodied dyadic interaction. Concretely, we propose the study of primary intersubjectivity as a 2PP experience characterized by predictive engagement, where perception, cognition, and action are accounted for an hermeneutic circle in dyadic interaction. From our interpretation of the concept of active inference in free-energy principle theory, we propose an open-source methodology named neural robotics library (NRL) for experimental human/neurorobot interaction, wherein a demonstration program named virtual Cartesian robot (VCBot) provides an opportunity to experience the aforementioned embodied interaction to general audiences. Lastly, through a study case, we discuss some ways human-robot primary intersubjectivity can contribute to cognitive science research, such as to the fields of developmental psychology, educational technology, and cognitive rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendry F. Chame
- Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit (CNRU), Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), Okinawa, Japan
| | | | - Jun Tani
- Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit (CNRU), Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), Okinawa, Japan
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47
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Decroix J, Borgomaneri S, Kalénine S, Avenanti A. State-dependent TMS of inferior frontal and parietal cortices highlights integration of grip configuration and functional goals during action recognition. Cortex 2020; 132:51-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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48
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Ohata W, Tani J. Investigation of the Sense of Agency in Social Cognition, Based on Frameworks of Predictive Coding and Active Inference: A Simulation Study on Multimodal Imitative Interaction. Front Neurorobot 2020; 14:61. [PMID: 33013346 PMCID: PMC7509423 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2020.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
When agents interact socially with different intentions (or wills), conflicts are difficult to avoid. Although the means by which social agents can resolve such problems autonomously has not been determined, dynamic characteristics of agency may shed light on underlying mechanisms. Therefore, the current study focused on the sense of agency, a specific aspect of agency referring to congruence between the agent's intention in acting and the outcome, especially in social interaction contexts. Employing predictive coding and active inference as theoretical frameworks of perception and action generation, we hypothesize that regulation of complexity in the evidence lower bound of an agent's model should affect the strength of the agent's sense of agency and should have a significant impact on social interactions. To evaluate this hypothesis, we built a computational model of imitative interaction between a robot and a human via visuo-proprioceptive sensation with a variational Bayes recurrent neural network, and simulated the model in the form of pseudo-imitative interaction using recorded human body movement data, which serve as the counterpart in the interactions. A key feature of the model is that the complexity of each modality can be regulated differently by changing the values of a hyperparameter assigned to each local module of the model. We first searched for an optimal setting of hyperparameters that endow the model with appropriate coordination of multimodal sensation. These searches revealed that complexity of the vision module should be more tightly regulated than that of the proprioception module because of greater uncertainty in visual information flow. Using this optimally trained model as a default model, we investigated how changing the tightness of complexity regulation in the entire network after training affects the strength of the sense of agency during imitative interactions. The results showed that with looser regulation of complexity, an agent tends to act more egocentrically, without adapting to the other. In contrast, with tighter regulation, the agent tends to follow the other by adjusting its intention. We conclude that the tightness of complexity regulation significantly affects the strength of the sense of agency and the dynamics of interactions between agents in social settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Ohata
- Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Jun Tani
- Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
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Meyer M, Endedijk HM, Hunnius S. Intention to imitate: Top-down effects on 4-year-olds' neural processing of others' actions. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2020; 45:100851. [PMID: 32890960 PMCID: PMC7481529 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
From early in life, we activate our neural motor system when observing others' actions. In adults, this so-called mirroring is modulated not only by the saliency of an action but also by top-down processes, like the intention to imitate it. Yet, it remains unknown whether neural processing of others' actions can be modulated by top-down processes in young children who heavily rely on learning from observing and imitating others but also still develop top-down control skills. Using EEG, we examined whether the intention to imitate increases 4-year-olds' motor activation while observing others' actions. In a within-subjects design, children observed identical actions preceded by distinct instructions, namely to either imitate the action or to name the toy's color. As motor activation index, children's alpha (7-12 Hz) and beta (16-20 Hz) power over motor cortices was analyzed. The results revealed more motor activity reflected by significantly lower beta power for the Imitation compared to the Color-naming Task. The same conditional difference, although differently located, was detected for alpha power. Together, our results show that children's neural processing of others' actions was amplified by their intention to imitate the action. Thus, already at age 4 top-down attention to others' actions can modulate neural action processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Meyer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, USA.
| | | | - Sabine Hunnius
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, the Netherlands
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Vocal-motor interference eliminates the memory advantage for vocal melodies. Brain Cogn 2020; 145:105622. [PMID: 32949847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2020.105622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Spontaneous motor cortical activity during passive perception of action has been interpreted as a sensorimotor simulation of the observed action. There is currently interest in how sensorimotor simulation can support higher-up cognitive functions, such as memory, but this is relatively unexplored in the auditory domain. In the present study, we examined whether the established memory advantage for vocal melodies over non-vocal melodies is attributable to stronger sensorimotor simulation during perception of vocal relative to non-vocal action. Participants listened to 24 unfamiliar folk melodies presented in vocal or piano timbres. These were encoded during three interference conditions: whispering (vocal-motor interference), tapping (non-vocal motor interference), and no-interference. Afterwards, participants heard the original 24 melodies presented among 24 foils and judged whether melodies were old or new. A vocal-memory advantage was found in the no-interference and tapping conditions; however, the advantage was eliminated in the whispering condition. This suggests that sensorimotor simulationduring the perception of vocal melodies is responsible for the observed vocal-memory advantage.
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