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Understanding Actions and the Intentions of Others: The Basic Neural Mechanism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2007

GIACOMO RIZZOLATTI  and
MADDALENA FABBRI DESTRO
GIACOMO RIZZOLATTI
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione Fisiologia, Università di Parma, Volturno, 39 43100 Parma, Italy. E-mail: giacomo.rizzolatti@unipr.it
MADDALENA FABBRI DESTRO
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione Fisiologia, Università di Parma, Volturno, 39 43100 Parma, Italy. E-mail: giacomo.rizzolatti@unipr.it
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Abstract

In this study, we first briefly review the basic properties of a particular set of neurons that discharge both when the individuals execute a specific action and when they observe another individual doing a similar action. These neurons are called mirror neurons. We then show that mirror neurons mediate our capacity to understand actions done by others. In the second part of the study we discuss the role of the mirror mechanism in intention understanding. We conclude with a review of recent data suggesting that a deficit in the mirror neuron mechanism may underlie some aspects of autism.

Type
Focus: Brain and Mind
Information
European Review , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , May 2007 , pp. 209 - 222
Copyright
Academia Europaea 2007

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