a Institute of Experimental Psychology , University of Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf , Germany.
Soc Neurosci. 2013;8(5):515-24. doi: 10.1080/17470919.2013.833550.
Simulation theories argue that humans simulate motor processes of others to gain information about intentions and emotional states of others. Mu-suppression is a valid electrophysiological correlate of these processes. Mu-activity can be measured via electroencephalography (EEG) in the alpha-band (8-13 Hz) above the sensorimotor cortex and is suppressed when actions are executed or observed. Based on a within-subject design, including 28 participants, it was tested whether the processes measured by mu-suppression could be modulated by empathic top-down-processes. Participants were asked to take the perspective of two actors, telling a story about a sad or neutral life event (video sequences). Afterwards, EEG was measured at central (C3, Cz, C4) and occipital (O1, Oz, O2) electrodes, while participants observed the actors drinking water (standardized video sequences, 8 s duration). Fast fourier transformation showed stronger suppression of power in the alpha-range (relative to baseline) at central and occipital electrodes while the actor with the sad story was observed relative to the actor with the neutral story. Furthermore, measures of state empathy correlated positively with the difference of mu-suppression between executed and observed movements, an indicator of self-other discrimination. Thus, mirror neuron activity measured by mu-suppression is modulated by empathic processes.
模拟理论认为，人类通过模拟他人的运动过程来获取有关他人意图和情绪状态的信息。mu 抑制是这些过程的有效电生理相关物。通过脑电图（EEG）可以在感觉运动皮层上方的 alpha 波段（8-13 Hz）测量 mu 活动，当执行或观察动作时，mu 活动会被抑制。基于包括 28 名参与者的被试内设计，研究测试了 mu 抑制所测量的过程是否可以通过共情自上而下的过程进行调节。参与者被要求从两个演员的角度讲述一个关于悲伤或中性生活事件的故事（视频序列）。之后，在中央（C3、Cz、C4）和枕部（O1、Oz、O2）电极测量 EEG，同时参与者观察演员喝水（标准化视频序列，持续 8 秒）。快速傅里叶变换显示，在观察到悲伤故事的演员时，与观察到中性故事的演员相比，中央和枕部电极的 alpha 频段（与基线相比）的功率抑制更强。此外，状态共情的测量值与执行和观察运动之间的 mu 抑制差异呈正相关，这是自我与他人区分的指标。因此，由 mu 抑制测量的镜像神经元活动受到共情过程的调节。
