2009 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
The neural basis of imitation of an action
| Project/Area Number |
20700240
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Field |
Cognitive science
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| Research Institution | Nagoya University |
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Principal Investigator |
ITO Hiroshi Nagoya University, 文学部, 助教 (20464141)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2008 – 2009
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| Keywords | 認知心理学 |
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| Research Abstract |
In order to learn novel actions, it is essential to observe and imitatesimilar actions performed by other individuals. We used 24-channel near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate brain activity during the observation of sequentially presented meaningless postures. The results revealed that the oxy-haemoglobin concentrations in the lower part of the precentral gyrus increased to a greater extent during the observation. This suggests that the area related to action plans, that is the human mirror-neuron system, is activated when observers recognize the possibility of body movement even during the observation of static meaningless postures.
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