Mirror Neurons: An Update on these Elusive, Yet Fascinating Cells

Shravani Khisti - Neuroscience Department

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1745691621990638#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20research%20on%20the%20origin,learning%2C%20or%20motor%20learning%20alone.

The article, “What happened to Mirror Neurons” by Cecilia Heyes and Caroline Catmur gives a thorough review on what mirror neurons are, how they were first discovered, and their current significance. Mirror neurons are neural cells that fire both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else performing the same action. The article notes that while the initial discovery of mirror neurons generated a great deal of excitement and sparked numerous theories about their role in social cognition, later research has complicated our understanding of these neurons and their functions by suggesting that they might have a deeper involvement. Mirror neurons are involved in all sorts of neural functions including but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Schizophrenia, empathy, and imitation.

In a larger context, the study of mirror neurons has implications for education and human understanding. The existence of mirror neurons suggests that the observation of others' behavior may play an important role in development. The significance of mirror neurons lies in their ability to link the actions of others with our own, providing the neural basis for social learning and imitation. Research suggests that mirror neurons play a vital role in the development of empathy and social cognition as they allow us to understand and resonate with the experiences of others. Additionally, mirror neurons are involved in language acquisition and communication, helping us understand the meaning behind the words and gestures of others. Understanding mirror neuron dysfunction may help in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as autism and schizophrenia, which are characterized by deficits in social cognition and communication. Furthermore, medical professionals can leverage the power of mirror neurons to enhance patient care by modeling positive behaviors to promote healthy social interactions.

References

Heyes, C., & Catmur, C. (2021). What happened to mirror neurons? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 17(1), 153–168. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691621990638