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Functional role of mirror neuron system on human movement

Research Project

Project/Area Number 18500510
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Sports science
Research InstitutionHiroshima University

Principal Investigator

FUNASE Kozo  Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Professor (40173512)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) TABIRA Takayuki  Nagasaki University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Assistant Professor (50337432)
Project Period (FY) 2006 – 2007
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2007)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,490,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
Fiscal Year 2007: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥1,800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000)
KeywordsMirror Neuron System / Human Movement / Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Observation and Imitation / Motor Imagery
Research Abstract

In this study, functional role of mirror neuron system on human movement was investigated in the following experiments.
(1) To explore the effect of mirror box (MB) therapy based on the mirror neuron system (MNS) of the primary motor cortex, we examined if direct (without a mirror) and indirect (with a mirror) observation of self-movement in healthy subjects induced changes in motor evoked potential (MEP) evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). MEPs were elicited from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscles. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) during self-movement observation were also recorded. Both observations of self-movement with and without a mirror increased MEP amplitude. The SEPs increased similar to the MEPs during both observations of self-movement with and without a mirror. We conclude that although the MN system can be activated by observing self-movement in a manner similar to that achieved by observing movement of anot … More her person, there were no detectable effect on corticospinal excitability that were specific to movements observed with a mirror.
(2) We investigated the effect of reading tasks at different vocal volumes on the excitability of hand motor cortex assessed by TMS-induced MEP in both right- and left-handed subjects. TMSs were applied to both hand motor cortices, respectively, and MEPs were recorded from both FDI muscles in all subjects. As a result, we found the bilateral facilitation of the hand motor cortices during the reading task at vocal volume in the normal conversations irrespective of subject's dominant hand. Weak activation of the jaw muscle comparable with the reading task did not affect the excitability of hand motor cortices of the bilateral hemispheres. This means that the activation of the oral motor cortex and the activation of the jaw muscle afferents hardly contribute to the excitability of hand motor cortex during the reading task. Furthermore, observation for video clip of another person's reading task also induced the bilateral facilitation of hand motor cortices. Increased excitability of left hand motor cortex compared to that of right motor cortex was confirmed during the reading loud task in the right-handed subjects only, as previously reported. Findings suggest the reading-induced bilateral facilitation of hand motor cortices which may be caused by the activation of MNS. Further, we discussed the relation to bimanual band gesture often observed in conversations in daily life.
(3) Effect of video clip observation in which a person plays 3 balls cascade on the excitability of band motor cortex assessed by TMS-induced MEP. MEPswere recorded from FDI and opponens pollicis (OP) muscle. Experimental conditions were, 1) motor imagery with video clip observation (real), 2) motor imagery with video clip observation in which a person plays 3 balls cascade without balls (fake) and 3) self motor imagery for 3 balls cascade. The most enhancements of MEPs in both FDI and OP were found in real condition. Degrees of enhancement were ordered in self and then fake condition. These results suggest that the video clip observation of such a complex and difficult action help to make motor imagery rather than self motor imagery for that. Interestingly, fake action does not have much effect to make motor imagery. This result well corresponds to the previous studies which show the properties of MNS. Less

Report

(3 results)
  • 2007 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2006 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (32 results)

All 2008 2007 2006 Other

All Journal Article (20 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 9 results) Presentation (12 results)

  • [Journal Article] Further evidence for excitability changes in human primary motor cortex during ipsilateral voluntary contractions2008

    • Author(s)
      Liang Nan
    • Journal Title

      Neurocience Letters 433

      Pages: 135-140

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Further evidence for excitability changes in human primary motor cortex during ipsilateral voluntary contractions2008

    • Author(s)
      Liang, Nan
    • Journal Title

      Neurocience Letters 433

      Pages: 135-140

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Further evidence for excitability changes in human primary motorcortex during ipsilateral voluntary contractions2008

    • Author(s)
      Liang Nan
    • Journal Title

      Neurocience Letters 433

      Pages: 135-140

    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Increased corticospinal excitability during direct observation of self-movement and indirect observation with a mirror box2007

    • Author(s)
      Funase Kozo
    • Journal Title

      Neuroscience Letters 419

      Pages: 108-112

    • NAID

      120000875264

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] 上肢筋の持続性伸張時における前腕筋及び下肢筋の脊髄運動ニューロンの興奮性の変化2007

    • Author(s)
      田口雅也
    • Journal Title

      日本作業療法研究学会雑誌, 10

      Pages: 25-30

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Effects of intermanual transfer induced by repetitive precision grip on input-output properties of untrained contralateral limb muscles2007

    • Author(s)
      Liang Nan
    • Journal Title

      Experimental Brain Research 182

      Pages: 459-467

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Mirror Box課題時における運動野及び体性感覚野の興奮性の変化-Mirror Neuron Systemとの関連性について-2007

    • Author(s)
      田平隆行
    • Journal Title

      保健学研究 20

      Pages: 9-15

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] 音楽課題時における手指支配運動野の興奮性変化2007

    • Author(s)
      田口雅也
    • Journal Title

      保健学研究 20

      Pages: 23-27

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Effects of motor imagery are dependent on motor strategies2007

    • Author(s)
      Liang Nan
    • Journal Title

      Neuroreport 18

      Pages: 1241-1245

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Increased corticospinal excitability during direct observation of self-movement and indirect observation with a mirror box2007

    • Author(s)
      Funase, Kozo
    • Journal Title

      Neuroscience Letters 419

      Pages: 108-112

    • NAID

      120000875264

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Changes of motoneuron excitability of forearam and lower Leg muscle during sustained stretching of forearm muscle2007

    • Author(s)
      Taguchi, Masaya
    • Journal Title

      Japanese Journal of Occupational Therpy Reseach 10

      Pages: 25-30

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Effects of intermanual transfer induced by repetitive precision grip on input-output properties of untrained contralateral limb muscles2007

    • Author(s)
      Liang, Nan
    • Journal Title

      Experimental Brain Research 182

      Pages: 459-467

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Changes of motor cortex and somatosensory area Excitability during observation of self-movement with a mirror box2007

    • Author(s)
      Tabira, Takayuki
    • Journal Title

      Health Science Research 20

      Pages: 9-15

    • NAID

      110006473190

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Changes of cortical excitability of hand area during music task2007

    • Author(s)
      Taguchi, Masaya
    • Journal Title

      Health Science Research 20

      Pages: 23-27

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Effects of motor imagery are dependent on motor strategies2007

    • Author(s)
      Liang, Nan
    • Journal Title

      Neuroreport 18

      Pages: 1241-1245

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Mirror Box課題時における運動野及び体性感覚野の興奮性の変化 -Mirror Neuron Systemとの関連性について-2007

    • Author(s)
      田平隆行
    • Journal Title

      保健学研究 20

      Pages: 9-15

    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] 上肢の持続性伸張時における前腕筋及び下肢筋の脊髄運動ニューロンの興奮性の変化

    • Author(s)
      田口雅也
    • Journal Title

      日本作業療法研究学会雑誌 (印刷中)

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] 短期間の手指筋反復収縮訓練による皮質運動野の興奮性変化

    • Author(s)
      田平隆行
    • Journal Title

      保健学研究 (印刷中)

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] 音読の観察・模倣・実行課題における手指支配運動野の興奮性変化

    • Author(s)
      田口雅也
    • Journal Title

      保健学研究 (印刷中)

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] 音楽課題時における手指支配運動野の興奮性変化

    • Author(s)
      田口雅也
    • Journal Title

      保健学研究 (印刷中)

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] 随意筋収縮に伴う同側運動野の皮質内抑制と促通変化2007

    • Author(s)
      梁 楠
    • Organizer
      第37回日本臨床神経生理学会
    • Place of Presentation
      宇都宮
    • Year and Date
      2007-11-22
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Changes of intracortical-inhibition and -facilitation during voluntary contraction of ipsilateral motor cortex2007

    • Author(s)
      Liang, Nan
    • Organizer
      The 37th Annual meeting of Japanese Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
    • Place of Presentation
      Utsunomiya
    • Year and Date
      2007-11-22
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Excitability changes of primary motor cortex during motor imagery of contralateral limb are dependent on movement phases of ipsilateral limb2007

    • Author(s)
      Liang Nan
    • Organizer
      IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience Satellite Meeting, "Motor Control at the Top End
    • Place of Presentation
      Darwin, Australia
    • Year and Date
      2007-07-19
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Excitability changes of primary motor cortex during motor imagery of contralateral limb are dependent on movement phases of ipsilateral limb2007

    • Author(s)
      Liang, Nan
    • Organizer
      IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience Satellite Meeting, "Motor Control at the Top End"
    • Place of Presentation
      Darwin, Australia
    • Year and Date
      2007-07-19
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 手指の運動イメージ効果は対側手指の運動負荷により影響される2006

    • Author(s)
      梁 楠
    • Organizer
      第36回日本臨床神経生理学会
    • Place of Presentation
      横浜
    • Year and Date
      2006-11-29
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 言語課題の遂行と手指運動野の興奮性との関連2006

    • Author(s)
      船瀬広三
    • Organizer
      第36回日本臨床神経生理学会
    • Place of Presentation
      横浜
    • Year and Date
      2006-11-29
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Motor imagery of finger movement is affected by the contralateral finger movement2006

    • Author(s)
      Liang, Nan
    • Organizer
      The 36th Annual meeting of Japanese Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
    • Place of Presentation
      Yokohama
    • Year and Date
      2006-11-29
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Effect of reading task on the excitability of hand motor area2006

    • Author(s)
      Funase, Kozo
    • Organizer
      The 36th Annual meeting of Japanese Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
    • Place of Presentation
      Yokohama
    • Year and Date
      2006-11-29
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 肢の持続的伸張時における前腕筋および下腿筋の脊髄運動ニューロン興奮性の変化-臨床手技の基礎研究-2006

    • Author(s)
      田口雅也
    • Organizer
      第40回日本作業療法学会
    • Place of Presentation
      京都
    • Year and Date
      2006-06-30
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Mirror Box課題における体性感覚誘発電位(SEP)の変動2006

    • Author(s)
      田平隆行
    • Organizer
      第40回日本作業療法学会
    • Place of Presentation
      京都
    • Year and Date
      2006-06-30
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Changes of motoneuron excitability of forearam and lower Leg muscle during sustained stretching of forearm muscle2006

    • Author(s)
      Masaya, Taguchi
    • Organizer
      The 40th Japanese Occupational Congress and Expo
    • Place of Presentation
      Kyoto
    • Year and Date
      2006-06-30
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Changes of somatosensory evoked potential during observation of self-movement with a mirror box2006

    • Author(s)
      Tabira, Takayuki
    • Organizer
      The 40th Japanese Occupational Congress and Expo
    • Place of Presentation
      Kyoto
    • Year and Date
      2006-06-30
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary

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Published: 2006-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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