Giacomo Rizolatti - Mirror Neurons

Mirror neurons - from monkeys to humans

Dr. Giacomo Rizzolatti explains how he discovered mirror neurons in humans. Once he discovered the existence of mirror neurons in monkeys, he decided to investigate if the same mechanisms existed in humans and found that they are, in fact, present. An interesting finding is that it appears that humans have an additional mirror system that enables us to code ‘how’ an observed movement is performed. This does not appear to exist in monkeys, who have a single mirror system. He describes the techniques that are used to study mirror neurons in humans and monkeys and describes the differences in performing experiments the two species. He notes that findings in humans explain, in much detail, human behavior and can be used in the treatment of many neurological disorders.

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The discovery of mirror neurons
The discovery of mirror neurons
The discovery of mirror neurons
The discovery of mirror neurons
Initial reaction
Initial reaction
Mirror neurons - from monkeys to humans
Mirror neurons - from monkeys to humans
Homology
Homology
Counting neurons
Counting neurons
Anatomy of mirror system pathways
Anatomy of mirror system pathways
Understanding actions of others
Understanding actions of others
Understanding actions of others
Understanding actions of others
Two ways of understanding
Two ways of understanding
Observation and skill learning
Observation and skill learning
An emotional mirror mechanism
An emotional mirror mechanism
An emotional mirror mechanism
An emotional mirror mechanism
Modulation of emotional responses
Modulation of emotional responses
Critics of mirror neuron research
Critics of mirror neuron research
Critics of mirror neuron mechanisms
Critics of mirror neuron mechanisms
Mirror neurons and their role in the evolution of language
Mirror neurons and their role in the evolution of language
The evolution of language from gestures
The evolution of language from gestures
The mirror mechanism and autism
The mirror mechanism and autism
Autism and the mirror system
Autism and the mirror system
The processing of intentions in autistic children
The processing of intentions in autistic children
Neurorehabilitation
Neurorehabilitation
Application of mirror mechanisms in neurorehabilitation
Application of mirror mechanisms in neurorehabilitation