TY - JOUR
T1 - A mirror up to nature
AU - Dinstein, Ilan
AU - Thomas, Cibu
AU - Behrmann, Marlene
AU - Heeger, David J.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2008/1/8
Y1 - 2008/1/8
N2 - Mirror neurons were first documented in the macaque monkey a little over ten years ago. Their discovery has led to the formulation of several theories about their function in humans, including suggestions that mirror neurons are involved in understanding the meaning and intentions of observed actions, learning by imitation, feeling empathy, formation of a 'theory of mind', and even the development of language. Hypotheses have also been made about the consequences of mirror neuron dysfunction; foremost among these is the notion that such a dysfunction during development leads to many of the social and cognitive symptoms associated with the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Yet, despite a decade of prolific research on these appealing theories, there is little evidence to support them. In this essay, we review the current state of 'mirror system' research, point to several weaknesses in the field, and offer suggestions for how better to study these remarkably interesting neurons in both neurotypical and autistic individuals.
AB - Mirror neurons were first documented in the macaque monkey a little over ten years ago. Their discovery has led to the formulation of several theories about their function in humans, including suggestions that mirror neurons are involved in understanding the meaning and intentions of observed actions, learning by imitation, feeling empathy, formation of a 'theory of mind', and even the development of language. Hypotheses have also been made about the consequences of mirror neuron dysfunction; foremost among these is the notion that such a dysfunction during development leads to many of the social and cognitive symptoms associated with the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Yet, despite a decade of prolific research on these appealing theories, there is little evidence to support them. In this essay, we review the current state of 'mirror system' research, point to several weaknesses in the field, and offer suggestions for how better to study these remarkably interesting neurons in both neurotypical and autistic individuals.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.cub.2007.11.004
DO - 10.1016/j.cub.2007.11.004
M3 - Short survey
C2 - 18177704
AN - SCOPUS:37449014306
VL - 18
SP - R13-R18
JO - Current Biology
JF - Current Biology
SN - 0960-9822
IS - 1
ER -