Mirror Neurons

Mirror mirror neurons are specialized cells in our brain. These cells become active when a person performs a specific movement or observes another person performing the same or similar movement. In other words, they are engaged when we execute movements or watch others perform them^【1】 

History

Mirror neurons were first discovered between the late 1980s and the 1990s by Giacomo Rizzolatti and his team at on and research. These neurophysiologists inserted electrodes into the ventral premotor cortex of three Macaca nemestrina monkeys and monitored their hand and body movements using a duration. During these experiments, the monkeys were made to observe the experimenter’s movements. They found that certain neurons in the F5 region responded specifically to these imitative actions. These neurons were subsequently termed “mirror neurons”.^【2】 

In humans, the presence of mirror neurons cannot be investigated using invasive methods as in monkeys, so non-invasive techniques such as neuroimaging (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging – fMRI) and electrophysiological methods (Electroencephalography – EEG, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – TMS, and Magnetoencephalography – MEG) are employed. Mirror neuron activity in humans has been detected in the premotor cortex (specifically in the inferior frontal gyrus regions) and the inferior parietal lobe (IPL), and these areas are known to be homologous to the F5 region in monkeys. In addition to these regions, mirror neuron activity has also been observed in the primary motor cortex and the hippocampus^【3】 

Figure 1; Location of mirror neurons in the cerebral cortex

What Do Mirror Neurons Do?

These neurons help humans understand each other and interact socially. Thanks to mirror neurons, our ability to imitate others’ movements develops, supporting learning, communication, and social skills. Mirror neurons enable people to better understand each other’s emotions, intentions, and behaviors.

Neuroscience shows that mirror neurons influence our capacity to acquire new skills, learn through observation, and form deep emotional bonds with those around us. These neurons help us understand why people do what they do.^【4】 

How Do Mirror Neurons Work?

Mirror neurons have been found in multiple brain regions including the premotor cortex, joint movement areas, the primary somatosensory cortex, the amygdala, the thalamus, and the inferior parietal cortex. Mirror neurons fire more strongly when the observer can understand the goals or intentions behind the observed action.^【5】 

Mirror Neurons and Behavior

Mirror neurons facilitate learning by enabling us to imitate the actions and behaviors we observe. When we watch someone engaged in a task, specific areas of our brain activate as if we ourselves were performing that task.

Neuroimaging studies show that the same brain regions are activated when we observe someone running on the street as when we run ourselves, during both movement perception and movement production. These neurons activate not only when we observe a behavior but also later when we recall that experience. Unfortunately, watching a concert violinist play does not make us play the violin ourselves, especially if we have never received any lesson training. Mirror neurons do not provide the “motor coding” of observed actions, but they support simulation, visualization, and representation, making them a vital component of learning.^【6】 

Mirror Neurons and Empathy

Neuroscientists generally believe that brain regions activated during our own emotional experiences are also activated when we observe another person’s emotions or feelings. Evidence shows that mirror neurons are strongly linked to human empathy.

Recent research suggests that we can understand others’ thoughts, emotions, and feelings by internally simulating similar mental states, emotions, or sensations. When we experience empathy, the anterior cingulate cortex becomes active. We also observe activation in this same region when we observe another person experiencing pain.^【7】