Human
mirror neuron system is believed to provide the basic mechanism for social
cognition. Mirror neurons were first discovered in 1990s in the premotor area
(F5) of macaque monkeys. Besides the premotor area, mirror neuron systems,
having different functions depending on their locations, are found in various
cortical areas. In addition, the importance of cingulate cortex in
mother-infant relationship is clearly emphasized in the literature. Functional
magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, transcortical magnetic
stimulation are the modalities used to evaluate the, activity of mirror
neurons; for instance, mu wave suppression in electroencephalography recordings
is considered as an evidence of mirror neuron activity. Mirror neurons have
very important functions such as language processing, comprehension, learning,
social interaction and empathy. For example, autistic individuals have less
mirror neuron activity; therefore, it is thought that they have less ability of
empathy. Responses of mirror neurons to object-directed and non-object directed
actions are different and non-object directed action is required for the activation
of mirror neurons. Previous researchers find significantly more suppression
during the observation of object-directed movements as compared to mimed
actions.
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