Synergy of the mirror neuron system and the mentalizing system in a single brain and between brains during joint actions
Angela Ciaramidaro,
Jlenia Toppi,
Pascal Vogel,
Christine M. Freitag,
Michael Siniatchkin,
Laura Astolfi
Affiliations
Angela Ciaramidaro
Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Viale Allegri 9, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt/Main, Germany; Corresponding author at: Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Viale Allegri 9, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Jlenia Toppi
Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering, Univ. of Rome “Sapienza”, Via Ariosto 25, 00185 Rome, Italy; Neuroelectrical Imaging and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Via Ardeatina 306/354, 00179 Rome, Italy
Pascal Vogel
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt/Main, Germany; Institute of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Str. 7, 60528 Frankfurt/M, Germany
Christine M. Freitag
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
Michael Siniatchkin
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt/Main, Germany; Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Laura Astolfi
Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering, Univ. of Rome “Sapienza”, Via Ariosto 25, 00185 Rome, Italy; Neuroelectrical Imaging and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Via Ardeatina 306/354, 00179 Rome, Italy
Cooperative action involves the simulation of actions and their co-representation by two or more people. This requires the involvement of two complex brain systems: the mirror neuron system (MNS) and the mentalizing system (MENT), both of critical importance for successful social interaction. However, their internal organization and the potential synergy of both systems during joint actions (JA) are yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to examine the role and interaction of these two fundamental systems—MENT and MNS—during continuous interaction. To this hand, we conducted a multiple-brain connectivity analysis in the source domain during a motor cooperation task using high-density EEG dual-recordings providing relevant insights into the roles of MNS and MENT at the intra- and interbrain levels.In particular, the intra-brain analysis demonstrated the essential function of both systems during JA, as well as the crucial role played by single brain regions of both neural mechanisms during cooperative activities. Specifically, our intra-brain analysis revealed that both neural mechanisms are essential during Joint Action (JA), showing a solid connection between MNS and MENT and a central role of the single brain regions of both mechanisms during cooperative actions. Additionally, our inter-brain study revealed increased inter-subject connections involving the motor system, MENT and MNS. Thus, our findings show a mutual influence between two interacting agents, based on synchronization of MNS and MENT systems. Our results actually encourage more research into the still-largely unknown realm of inter-brain dynamics and contribute to expand the body of knowledge in social neuroscience.
