Role of mirror neuron system for social learning in common marmosets

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26430031
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Wataru 国立研究開発法人国立精神・神経医療研究センター, 神経研究所 微細構造研究部, 室長 (80332336)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Ichinohe Noritaka 神経研究所, 微細構造研究部, 部長 (00250598) ; Miyakawa Naohisa 神経研究所, 微細構造研究部, 研究員 (60415312) ; Banno Taku 神経研究所, 微細構造研究部, 研究員 (70598440) ; Abe Hiroshi 神経研究所, 微細構造研究部, 研究員 (10711161)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: バイオロジカルモーション / 上側頭溝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using intrinsic optical signal imaging, the area representing the others' action, food grasping behavior, are visualized in the superior temporal sulcus of common marmoset. The responses in this area decrease when grasping behavior without the food is presented, indicating that the area also codes for the aim of the other. To investigate the input source of the aim of the other, ibotenic acid are injected in the frontal lobe including the orbitofrontal cortex and the unit recording in the superior temporal sulcus are conducted. After the injection, the response of some units to the others' action significantly decrease. To quantitatively examine the marmoset behavior, I develop an algorithm to extract motion information from animal movie to quantitatively. Using these various experimental methods, the mechanism of the mirror neuron system will be elucidated.

Free Research Field

システム神経科学