Oztop Erhan, Kawato Mitsuo, Arbib Michael
JST-ICORP Computational Brain Project, Kyoto, Japan.
Neural Netw. 2006 Apr;19(3):254-71. doi: 10.1016/j.neunet.2006.02.002. Epub 2006 Apr 3.
Neurophysiology reveals the properties of individual mirror neurons in the macaque while brain imaging reveals the presence of 'mirror systems' (not individual neurons) in the human. Current conceptual models attribute high level functions such as action understanding, imitation, and language to mirror neurons. However, only the first of these three functions is well-developed in monkeys. We thus distinguish current opinions (conceptual models) on mirror neuron function from more detailed computational models. We assess the strengths and weaknesses of current computational models in addressing the data and speculations on mirror neurons (macaque) and mirror systems (human). In particular, our mirror neuron system (MNS), mental state inference (MSI) and modular selection and identification for control (MOSAIC) models are analyzed in more detail. Conceptual models often overlook the computational requirements for posited functions, while too many computational models adopt the erroneous hypothesis that mirror neurons are interchangeable with imitation ability. Our meta-analysis underlines the gap between conceptual and computational models and points out the research effort required from both sides to reduce this gap.
神经生理学揭示了猕猴个体镜像神经元的特性，而脑成像则揭示了人类中“镜像系统”（而非单个神经元）的存在。当前的概念模型将诸如动作理解、模仿和语言等高级功能归因于镜像神经元。然而，这三种功能中只有第一种在猴子身上得到了很好的发展。因此，我们将当前关于镜像神经元功能的观点（概念模型）与更详细的计算模型区分开来。我们评估了当前计算模型在处理关于镜像神经元（猕猴）和镜像系统（人类）的数据及推测方面的优缺点。特别是，我们对镜像神经元系统（MNS）、心理状态推理（MSI）和控制的模块化选择与识别（MOSAIC）模型进行了更详细的分析。概念模型常常忽视所假定功能的计算要求，而太多的计算模型采用了错误的假设，即镜像神经元与模仿能力是可互换的。我们的荟萃分析强调了概念模型与计算模型之间的差距，并指出双方为缩小这一差距所需的研究努力。
