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Cited by 205Action Observation and SynchronizationMotor Control and AdaptationTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies

Modulation of spinal excitability during observation of hand actions in humans

Baldissera, Fausto, Cavallari, Paolo, Craighero, Laila, Fadiga, Luciano·2001·European Journal of Neuroscience
DOI 10.1046/j.0953-816x.2000.01368.x
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Abstract

There is growing evidence that observation of actions performed by other individuals activates observer's cortical motor areas. This matching of observed actions on the observer's motor repertoire could be at the basis of action recognition. Here we investigated if action observation, in addition to cortical motor areas, involves also low level motor structures mimicking the observed actions as if they were performed by the observer. Spinal cord excitability was tested by eliciting the H-reflex in a finger flexor muscle (flexor digitorum superficialis) in humans looking at goal-directed hand actions presented on a TV screen. We found that, in the absence of any detectable muscle activity, there was in the observers a significant modulation of the monosynaptic reflex size, specifically related to the different phases of the observed movement. The recorded H-reflex rapidly increased in size during hand opening, it was depressed during hand closing and quickly recovered during object lifting. This modulation pattern is, however, opposite to that occurring when the recorded muscles are actually executing the observed action [Lemon et al. (1995) J. Neurosci., 15, 6145-56]. Considering that, when investigated at cortical level the modulation pattern of corticospinal excitability replicates the observed movements [Fadiga et al. (1995) J. Neurophysiol., 73, 2608-2611], this spinal 'inverted mirror' behaviour might be finalised to prevent the overt replica of the seen action.

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  • Observing a movement could also have minor effects on spinal excitability.

    “Given that observation of a movement could also have minor effects on spinal excitability (Baldissera et al., 2001)”

    From Corticomotor Excitability during Observation and Imagination of a Work of Art (2011) · cites this paper as Baldissera et al., 2001

  • MEP amplitudes were normalized by dividing each MEP by the mean of all MEPs from the same run to reduce between-subject and between-run variability.

    “MEP amplitudes were normalized to reduce the impact of between-subject and between-run variability (Baldissera et al., 2001). This was accomplished by dividing each MEP measurement by the mean of all MEPs from the same run. Therefore, normalized MEP amplitudes represent proportion of the run mean amplitude.”

    From To imitate or not: Avoiding imitation involves preparatory inhibition of motor resonance (2014) · cites this paper as Baldissera et al., 2001

  • Motor evoked potentials are known to drift substantially over time, which motivates normalizing them within task blocks.

    “MEPs are known to drift significantly over time, leading to the strategy of normalizing MEPs within task blocks (Baldissera et al., 2001).”

    From To imitate or not: Avoiding imitation involves preparatory inhibition of motor resonance (2014) · cites this paper as Baldissera et al., 2001

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Authors
Baldissera, F., Cavallari, P., Craighero, L., & Fadiga, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Milan (IT)
  • University of Parma (IT)
ORCID
Venue
European Journal of Neuroscience
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2001-01
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
190-194
ISSN
  • 0953-816X (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-9568
DOI
10.1046/j.0953-816x.2000.01368.x
OpenAlex
W2089281642
Cited by
205
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 15
FWCI
14.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 353 d)
Locations
  • European Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Institutional Research Information System University of Ferrara (University of Ferrara) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
Keywords
action observation, spinal cord excitability, H-reflex, mirror neuron system, motor imitation, corticospinal excitability, human action recognition, hand movement, flexor digitorum superficialis, monosynaptic reflex
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Fingers, H-Reflex, Hand, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Movement, Spinal Cord, Videotape Recording, Visual Perception, Hand Strength

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