Abstract #1694

Lateralization of the Mirror Neuron System During Observation and Execution of Object-Related Actions: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Study in Right and Left-Handed Subjects

Monia Cabinio¹, Valeria Blasi¹, Marcella Montagna², Paola Borroni³, Antonella Iadanza¹, Giuseppe Scotti¹, Andrea Falini¹, Gabriella Cerri²

¹Neuroradiology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy; ²Istituto di Fisiologia Umana II, Universit degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; ³Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria, Universit degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

Mirror neurons are visuomotor neurons active during both oservation and execution of object-related hand movements. Its hypotesized their involvement in action understanding. Aim of this study is to evaluate if the activation of the mirror neuron system is lateralized in humans. We performed a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging study on right and left-handed normal subjects during observation and execution of grasping movements done with the left or right hand.