Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pasquale Cardellicchio, Elisa Dolfini, Alessandro D'Ausilio
Summary: Evidence suggests that human sensorimotor interaction requires mutual behavioral adaptation and shared cognitive task representations. It has been shown that the left dorsal premotor cortex plays a role in sculpting movements and modulating stopping performance in joint action coordination.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Fengxue Qi, Michael A. Nitsche, Xiping Ren, Duanwei Wang, Lijuan Wang
Summary: Stroke is a disease that causes brain damage and functional impairments. The bimodal balance-recovery model has been proposed as the mechanism of functional recovery after a stroke. The combination of motor observation treatment approaches with various stimulation techniques may be valuable in neurorehabilitation after a stroke, especially for patients with severe motor deficits.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jasper Mark, Hannah D. Ryan, Katie M. Fabian, Kaitlin DeMarco, Michael Lewek, Jessica Cassidy
Summary: Aerobic exercise and action observation are two clinic-ready modes of neural priming that enhance subsequent motor learning. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and action observation priming on functional connectivity within the sensorimotor neural network using electroencephalography. The results showed that both forms of priming increased coherence between the primary motor cortex and motor-related areas in the alpha and beta frequency bands, with the most pronounced effects observed in the high beta band. The gradual increase in coherence over a post-priming window of 10 to 30 minutes can guide the pairing of priming with subsequent training to optimize learning outcomes.
Article
Neurosciences
Arturo Nuara, Maria Chiara Bazzini, Pasquale Cardellicchio, Emilia Scalona, Doriana De Marco, Giacomo Rizzolatti, Maddalena Fabbri-Destro, Pietro Avanzini
Summary: Observation of others' actions is crucial for motor skill acquisition and can induce changes in motor cortex excitability. Action Observation Training (AOT) improves motor performance, and the extent of improvement is predicted by the modulation of corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition during action observation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Enzo Mastinu, Anna Coletti, Samir Hussein Ali Mohammad, Jasper van den Berg, Christian Cipriani
Summary: HANDdata is a dataset designed for autonomous grasping of a robotic hand, providing hand kinematics and proximity vision data during reach-to-grasp actions of non-virtual objects. It includes almost 6000 human-object interactions from 29 healthy adults, with 10 standardized objects of 5 different shapes and 2 kinds of materials.
Article
Neurosciences
Emma L. Thompson, Geoffrey Bird, Caroline Catmur
Summary: This study aimed to determine the relationship between mirror neuron brain regions and two distinct processes: action identification and intention identification. The results showed that mirror neuron brain regions are involved in action identification but not in intention identification, which requires additional processing in mentalizing brain regions.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ambra Bisio, Monica Biggio, Patrizio Canepa, Emanuela Faelli, Piero Ruggeri, Laura Avanzino, Marco Bove
Summary: Action observation combined with proprioceptive stimulation induces a kinesthetic illusion of movement and leads to increased excitability in the primary motor cortex (M1), with effects lasting up to 60 minutes. The study found a significant positive correlation between changes in M1 excitability during and after the AO-KI process, suggesting that M1 response during AO-KI may serve as a marker for individual responsiveness to the combined stimulation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Damian M. Manzone, Luc Tremblay
Summary: Our perception can be altered by action observation, and this study found that tactile processing is facilitated when observing slow movements. These findings are important for understanding tactile processing during action observation.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Fabio Castro, Paulina Anna Bryjka, Giovanni Di Pino, Aleksandra Vuckovic, Alexander Nowicky, Daniel Bishop
Summary: The study looked into how sonification affects the simultaneous use of action observation and motor imagery (AOMI) strategies. The results indicate that sonification does not influence the effectiveness of AOMI for motor learning in simple tasks.
BRAIN AND COGNITION
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Samantha Chye, Ashika Chembila Valappil, David J. Wright, Cornelia Frank, David A. Shearer, Christopher J. Tyler, Ceri E. Diss, Omar S. Mian, Neale A. Tillin, Adam M. Bruton
Summary: Motor simulation interventions involving AOMI have a positive effect on corticospinal excitability and motor skill performance, but no effect on MI. These results are important for the existing literature on motor simulation and skill acquisition.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jirapimon Kaokhieo, Jarugool Tretriluxana, Pakaratee Chaiyawat, Vorasith Siripornpanich, Kannika Permpoonputtana, Suradej Tretriluxana, Ampika Nanbancha
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of combining high-frequency rTMS with action observation and execution in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for improving social interaction and communication. The results showed that the experimental group, who received the real rTMS treatment, had improvements in behavioral outcomes and EEG activity compared to the control group. This suggests that the combination of high-frequency rTMS with action observation and execution may have positive effects on communication and daily living skills in children with ASD.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Seung Yeon Jeon, Jung Ho Choi, Sun Seong Kang, Yong-Hwi An, Hyun Joon Shim
Summary: Personalized neuromodulation, where treatment modalities are chosen based on the patient's responses in a pilot trial, is an advantageous strategy for treating tinnitus. The study found that the improvement in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score after 10 sessions of each neuromodulation was significantly greater in the personalized group compared to the randomized group.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Tingting Zhang, Bingqi Guo, Zhentao Zuo, Xiaojing Long, Shimin Hu, Siran Li, Xin Su, Yuping Wang, Chunyan Liu
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effects of transcranial focus ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) on human motor cortex excitability and explore the mechanism of neurotransmitter-related intracortical circuitry and plasticity. The results showed that tFUS can significantly increase M1 excitability, decrease intracortical inhibition, and change the concentration of GABA and Glx in the brain. These findings provide new insights into how tFUS can modulate cortical excitability and plasticity.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Kylie K. Harmon, Ryan M. Girts, Jason Pagan, Gabriela Rodriguez, Matt S. Stock
Summary: Muscle weakness is a common problem in older adults. This study found that observing strong contractions may have a preservatory effect on muscular strength and increase corticospinal excitability. However, more research is needed to confirm and explore this phenomenon.
EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Seong Hoon Bae, Seo Jin Moon, Jeong Gum Lee, Yun Kyung Yim, Hee So Oh, Dong Hee Han, In Seok Moon
Summary: The study compared the effects of rTMS and tDCS treatments for chronic tinnitus, showing comparable results in reducing tinnitus symptoms, with tDCS possibly being more cost-effective.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Sonia Betti, Marta Fedele, Umberto Castiello, Luisa Sartori, Sanja Budisavljevic
Summary: This study utilized advanced brain imaging techniques and neural stimulation methods to investigate the relationship between corticospinal excitability and anatomical structure. The findings suggest that inter-individual variability in anatomy can impact corticospinal activation and conduction, providing important insights into the understanding of TMS and the human motor system.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Noemi Montobbio, Andrea Cavallo, Dalila Albergo, Caterina Ansuini, Francesca Battaglia, Jessica Podda, Lino Nobili, Stefano Panzeri, Cristina Becchio
Summary: This study reveals that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have difficulties in reading intentions from movements but are able to identify single-trial variations in movement kinematics. The results suggest that ASD individuals show better recognition of intention-informative features during observation of ASD actions, while typically developing (TD) children show better recognition of intention-informative kinematic features during observation of TD actions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bianca Bonato, Valentina Simonetti, Maria Bulgheroni, Qiuran Wang, Silvia Guerra, Silvia Quaggiotti, Benedetto Ruperti, Umberto Castiello
Summary: 3D kinematic analysis shows that the movement of climbing plants is influenced by their intention. Climbing plants modify their behavior in the presence of neighbors to maximize their long-term gains. These findings suggest that the kinematics of climbing plants are sensitive to their intention.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Qiuran Wang, Tommaso Barbariol, Gian Antonio Susto, Bianca Bonato, Silvia Guerra, Umberto Castiello
Summary: Climbing plants require external support for vertical growth and enhanced light acquisition. Machine learning methods can accurately capture the differences in circumnutation patterns related to the presence/absence of support. Distinctive kinematic features at the junction underneath the tendrils can indicate the presence/absence of support by the plant.
Article
Plant Sciences
Qiuran Wang, Silvia Guerra, Bianca Bonato, Valentina Simonetti, Maria Bulgheroni, Umberto Castiello
Summary: Finding a suitable support is crucial for climbing plants, as it affects their performance and fitness. Previous studies have focused on the mechanistic details of support-searching and attachment, while fewer have considered the ecological significance and influencing factors. This study investigates the influence of support diameter on pea plants' movement and reveals a preference for thinner supports. These findings shed further light on how climbing plants make decisions regarding support-searching and demonstrate their ability to adapt to environmental scenarios.
Article
Biology
Sonia Betti, Giovanni Zani, Silvia Guerra, Umberto Granziol, Umberto Castiello, Chiara Begliomini, Luisa Sartori
Summary: Scientific evidence suggests that the motor system integrates predictions about the actions of others and plans the most appropriate responses in social contexts. However, it is still unknown how these processes are reflected in the modulation of corticospinal mechanisms. The study found that greater corticospinal inhibition was observed when participants prepared their motor response after observing an interactive request, compared to a non-interactive gesture. This greater inhibition led to faster and more efficient action execution. These findings contribute to our understanding of motor processes in social situations.
Editorial Material
Biology
Umberto Castiello
Article
Psychology, Mathematical
Matilde Rocca, Lucia Maria Sacheli, Luca Romeo, Andrea Cavallo
Summary: Extensive evidence suggests that observing actions can influence our own motor behavior, a phenomenon known as visuo-motor interference. However, it is unclear how different types of interaction affect this effect. In this study, the researchers examined reach-to-grasp movements performed in interactive and noninteractive settings and found that the interference effect was reduced when the partner's action was relevant to achieving a common goal, regardless of whether it had a concrete sensory outcome or not. These findings support the idea that during joint actions, we form dyadic motor plans that involve predictive representations of both our own and our partner's actions.
PSYCHONOMIC BULLETIN & REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karthikeyan Kalyanasundaram Balasubramanian, Andrea Merello, Giorgio Zini, Nathan Charles Foster, Andrea Cavallo, Cristina Becchio, Marco Crepaldi
Summary: In this paper, the authors develop a neural network-based solution to address the challenges of synchronizing e-wearables. They demonstrate its effectiveness in a Bluetooth synchronized motion capture system and highlight its potential applications in healthcare.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Naiqi G. Xiao, Valentina Angeli, Wei Fang, Valeria Manera, Shaoying Liu, Umberto Castiello, Liezhong Ge, Kang Lee, Francesca Simion
Summary: Previous studies have shown that infants can perceive emotions from facial expressions, but the developmental change of this ability is still unclear. Using point-light displays, researchers found that 3-month-old infants could discriminate between happy and fear expressions, while 6-month-old and 9-month-old infants could only do so in the happy condition. This suggests a developmental change in facial expression processing.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Kiri Pullar, Eugenio Scaliti, Giulia Borghini, Andrea Cavallo, Stefano Panzeri, Cristina Becchio
JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Karthikeyan Kalyanasundaram Balasubramanian, Francesco Diotalevi, Claudio Lorini, Andrea Cavallo, Novella Pretti, Dario Paladini, Diego Torazza, Cristina Becchio, Marco Crepaldi
Summary: This study presents a system that provides dynamic motion as a visual stimulus for fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy to assess their reactions. The system uses high-resolution LED arrays and a reconfigurable SoC for flexible control and operation, and has been validated through experiments.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Luca Romeo, Andrea Cavallo, Lucia Pepa, Nadia Bianchi-Berthouze, Massimiliano Pontil
Summary: This study focuses on the problem of continuous emotion recognition and introduces Multiple Instance Learning as a solution that can model and predict the affective state over time without requiring continuous labeling of emotional responses. The proposed approach is demonstrated to be reliable in real-world scenarios and is shown to have advantages over standard supervised machine learning algorithms.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AFFECTIVE COMPUTING
(2022)
