Common coding and dynamic interactions between observed, imagined, and experienced motor and somatosensory activity

Abstract

Motor imagery and perception- considered generally as forms of motor simulation- share overlapping neural representations with motor production. While much research has focused on the extent of this “common coding,” less attention has been paid to how these overlapping representations interact. How do imagined, observed, or produced actions influence one another, and how do we maintain control over our perception and behavior? In the first part of this review we describe interactions between motor production and motor simulation, and explore apparent regulatory mechanisms that balance these processes. Next, we consider the somatosensory system. Numerous studies now support a “sensory mirror system” comprised of neural representations activated by either afferent sensation or vicarious sensation. In the second part of this review we summarize evidence for shared representations of sensation and sensory simulation (including imagery and observed sensation), and suggest that similar interactions and regulation of simulation occur in the somatosensory domain as in the motor domain. We suggest that both motor and somatosensory simulations are flexibly regulated to support simulations congruent with our sensorimotor experience and goals and suppress or separate the influence of those that are not. These regulatory mechanisms are frequently revealed by cases of brain injury but can also be employed to facilitate sensorimotor rehabilitation.

Effects of mirror-box therapy on modulation of sensorimotor EEG oscillatory rhythms: a single-case longitudinal study

“…BCI training consists of instrumental conditioning or rewarding of expected ERS and ERD changes modulated by the subject's mental imagery of movement. While rewarding in the BCI protocols may play its role, there is growing evidence that a link between motor imagery and passive action observation exists (Case et al 2015;de Vries and Mulder 2007;Mulder 2007). Our results are in the line with these findings, indicating that changes in the activation (ERD) and deactivation (ERS) of motor cortical regions during MT leads to the power spectrum changes of motor-related oscillatory rhythms detected in the scalp EEG.…”

“…Imaginary motion represents an important component of many brain-computer interface designs also targeted for neurorehabilitation purposes (Chaudhary et al 2016). Behavioral and physiological correlates of imaginary motion and passive observation of real movements are similar, and both activities are associated with the mirror neuron system (Case at al. 2015;Mulder 2007;Rizzolatti and Craighero 2004).…”

Visual Enhancement of Illusory Phenomenal Accents in Non-Isochronous Auditory Rhythms

“…In terms of predicting “when”, the motor system also appears instrumental in predictive timing of rhythmic streams [52]: Rhythmic motor activities are proposed to reset oscillations of the sensory cortices, such that the phase of neural excitability would temporally align with the external rhythmic events to enhance stimulus processing [42]. As action observation and action execution share overlapping neural substrates in the motor system [53], covert motor activities through observing rhythmic dance movements might modulate auditory processes in a similar manner. Finally, a recent study shows that both the imagined and the physically imposed auditory metrical accents elicit greater event-related desynchronization in the cortical beta oscillations [44].…”

The maternal brain in women with a history of early-life maltreatment: an imagination-based fMRI study of conflictual versus pleasant interactions with children

“…However, there is accumulating evidence that the imagination of behaviour evokes neural responses that are similar to actual behaviour. [58][59][60] Thus, the imagination-based paradigm does appear to be a valid approach for studying neural correlates of maternal behaviour.…”