A mirror up to nature
A mirror up to nature
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DOI：
10.1016/j.cub.2007.11.004
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发表时间：
2008-01-08
期刊：
影响因子：
9.2
通讯作者：
Heeger, David J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dinstein, Ilan;Thomas, Cibu;Heeger, David J.
镜像神经元最早是在十多年前在猕猴身上发现的。他们的发现导致了关于其在人类中功能的几种理论的形成，包括镜像神经元参与理解观察到的行为的意义和意图，通过模仿学习，感受移情，形成“心理理论”，甚至语言的发展。关于镜像神经元功能障碍的后果也有一些假设;其中最重要的是这样一种观点，即发育过程中的这种功能障碍会导致许多与自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）相关的社会和认知症状。然而，尽管十年来对这些吸引人的理论进行了大量研究，但几乎没有证据支持它们。在这篇文章中，我们回顾了“镜像系统”研究的现状，指出了该领域的几个弱点，并为如何更好地研究这些非常有趣的神经元在神经典型和自闭症个体提供了建议。
Mirror neurons were first documented in the macaque monkey a little over ten years ago. Their discovery has led to the formulation of several theories about their function in humans, including suggestions that mirror neurons are involved in understanding the meaning and intentions of observed actions, learning by imitation, feeling empathy, formation of a ‘theory of mind', and even the development of language. Hypotheses have also been made about the consequences of mirror neuron dysfunction; foremost among these is the notion that such a dysfunction during development leads to many of the social and cognitive symptoms associated with the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Yet, despite a decade of prolific research on these appealing theories, there is little evidence to support them. In this essay, we review the current state of ‘mirror system' research, point to several weaknesses in the field, and offer suggestions for how better to study these remarkably interesting neurons in both neurotypical and autistic individuals.