What is True About the Mirror Neuron System; Reflecting on Previous Evidence Regarding Mirror Neuron Function, Empathy and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Lopers, Indy (2024) What is True About the Mirror Neuron System; Reflecting on Previous Evidence Regarding Mirror Neuron Function, Empathy and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Mirror neurons (MNs) are cells that fire during both action execution and observation. It has been researched extensively and the mirror neuron system was hypothesized to be involved in many processes such as action understanding, imitation, intention understanding, speech perception, and even empathy. However, there is an ongoing debate about whether there is enough evidence to make these assumptions. This paper critically reviews MN function, especially looking deeper into the role of MNs in empathy and whether dysfunction in this system could lead to autism spectrum disorder. The literature seems to agree on the function of MNs in action understanding and imitation, but there is mixed evidence about their function in intention understanding and speech perception. Although functional neuroimaging techniques indicate a role for MNs in empathy, the reliance on this evidence is heavily debated. These techniques do not provide information on a cellular level and are rather correlational instead of causational. Single-cell studies provide more insight into individual neurons but are challenging to perform in humans. Lesion studies provide causational evidence, but the evidence is rather mixed around the role of MNs in empathy. Ultimately, it is important to keep in mind that empathy is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon, with probably multiple neural mechanisms underlying it. In addition, there is much disagreement about “the broken mirror theory”. This theory states that dy

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Moorman, S.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	12 Apr 2024 11:45
Last Modified:	12 Apr 2024 11:45
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/32274

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