Human movements and abstract motion displays activate different processes in the observer's motor system

摘要: Brain imaging studies have shown that observation of both bodily movements and abstract motion displays complying with human kinematics activate the observer's motor cortex. However, it is unknown whether same processes are active in two conditions. Here, we addressed this issue using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to directly compare cortico-spinal excitability during actions stimuli complied or violated normal kinematics. We found significantly modulated motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) produced by TMS stimuli. only temporal unfolding correlated instantaneous stimulus velocity. This correlation was present for also a subset having unnatural Furthermore, which no between MEPs velocity higher MEPs. Our novel results suggest dissociation how engage system. Specifically, while types cortex, produce patterns closely follow profile observed movement. internal "re-enactment" seems be partially attuned