Citation

Keysers C, Gazzola V. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Biol. Sci. 2014; 369(1644): 20130175.

Affiliation

Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, KNAW, , Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Royal Society of London)

DOI

10.1098/rstb.2013.0175

PMID

24778372

Abstract

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity is considered the neurophysiological basis of Hebbian learning and has been shown to be sensitive to both contingency and contiguity between pre- and postsynaptic activity. Here, we will examine how applying this Hebbian learning rule to a system of interconnected neurons in the presence of direct or indirect re-afference (e.g. seeing/hearing one's own actions) predicts the emergence of mirror neurons with predictive properties. In this framework, we analyse how mirror neurons become a dynamic system that performs active inferences about the actions of others and allows joint actions despite sensorimotor delays. We explore how this system performs a projection of the self onto others, with egocentric biases to contribute to mind-reading. Finally, we argue that Hebbian learning predicts mirror-like neurons for sensations and emotions and review evidence for the presence of such vicarious activations outside the motor system.

Language: en