Our experiment has two objectives. First, it is designed to determine whether cross-modal classification is possible, and so resolve the different conclusions reached in Etzel, Gazzola et al. (2008) and Dinstein, Gardner et al. (2008). Second, the…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
heeft geen betrekking op aandoeningen
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The dependent variable for fMRI data is the percent signal change in every
voxel of the brain during performance to the tasks. We will perform a
classification analysis on the data from specific brain regions to look for
similarities in brain activations when the subjects were performing and
observing the same actions, actions with the same goal, and actions with the
same movement.
Further details are contained in the Protocol.
Secondary outcome
Not applicable.
Background summary
Witnessing an action performed by someone else is associated with activation of
the motor and premotor cortices in the brain of the observer, areas considered
to be part of the putative mirror neuron system in humans. Several lines of
evidence suggest that such automatic mental simulation (or *mirroring*) of
other people*s actions may allow us to understand their intentions. Simulation
and common coding models of action perception propose that we understand the
how and what of other people*s actions because perceiving their actions
activates certain brain circuits in much the same way as if we were executing
the actions. *Cross-modal classification analysis* is a way to test simulation
and common coding models in humans using fMRI data.
Study objective
Our experiment has two objectives. First, it is designed to determine whether
cross-modal classification is possible, and so resolve the different
conclusions reached in Etzel, Gazzola et al. (2008) and Dinstein, Gardner et
al. (2008). Second, the experiment will evaluate whether the purpose of an
action is represented in the mirror neuron system, irregardless of motor
actions needed to achieve the purpose.
Dinstein, I., J. L. Gardner, et al. (2008). "Executed and Observed Movements
Have Different Distributed Representations in Human aIPS." J. Neurosci. 28(44):
11231-11239.
Etzel, J. A., V. Gazzola, et al. (2008). "Testing Simulation Theory with
Cross-Modal Multivariate Classification of fMRI Data." PLoS One 3(11): e3690.
Study design
We will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test our
hypotheses. During the imaging the subjects will be asked to watch short movies
of actors performing goal-directed hand actions and to perform short
goal-directed hand actions themselves.
Further details are contained in the Protocol.
Study burden and risks
The experiment will not entail more than minimal risk to the participants,
although participation may be considered a burden, since participants have to
lie still in a confined space while performing the task.
There are no benefits to the subject for participation in this study.
Antonius Deusinglaan 2
9713AW Groningen
Nederland
Antonius Deusinglaan 2
9713AW Groningen
Nederland
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
• Physically healthy individuals.
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
• Between 18 and 35 years old.
• Right-handed. Using right handed subjects only allows a focus on left-hemispheric activity and the use of only one (right-handed) set of movies.
Exclusion criteria
Subjects with a history of psychiatric or neurological disorders (including epilepsy) and subjects that use drugs that may influence the task performance will be excluded from participation. For MRI, several additional criteria apply and the participant will have to fill out a detailed questionnaire covering safety aspects of the research in relation to the 3 Tesla magnetic field and the MRI environment (see document E2 Toestemmingsformulier). ;Criteria preventing participation due to the MRI are:
• MRI-incompatible implants in the body.
• Any risk of metal particles in the eyes or body (such as manual work without eye protection or shrapnel injuries).
• Tattoos containing red pigments.
• (Suspected) pregnancy.
• Claustrophobia.
• The refusal to be informed of structural brain abnormalities detected during the experiment.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL26341.042.09 |