Action Representation of Sound: Audiomotor Recognition Network While Listening to Newly Acquired Actions

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4822-06.2007
• Publication Date: 2007-01-10T17:38:33Z
• Authors: Amir Lahav; Elliot Saltzman; Gottfried Schlaug
• Keywords: Intraparietal sulcus; Mirror neuron; Premotor cortex; Broca's area

The discovery of audiovisual mirror neurons in monkeys gave rise to the hypothesis that premotor areas are inherently involved not only when observing actions but also listening action-related sound. However, whole-brain functional formation underlying such “action–listening” is fully understood. In addition, previous studies humans have focused mostly on relatively simple and overexperienced everyday actions, as hand clapping or door knocking. Here we used magnetic resonance imaging ask whether human action-recognition system responds sounds found a more complex sequence newly acquired actions. To address this, chose piece music model set acoustically presentable trained non-musicians play it by ear. We then monitored brain activity subjects while they listened piece. Although without performing any movements, activation was bilaterally frontoparietal motor-related network (including Broca's area, region, intraparietal sulcus, inferior parietal region), consistent with neural circuits been associated action observations, may constitute neuron system. Presentation practiced notes different order activated much lesser degree, whereas an equally familiar motorically unknown did activate this network. These findings support “hearing–doing” highly dependent individual's motor repertoire, gets established rapidly, consists area its hub.