Probing the role of the motor system during action observation using EEG data analysis
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Date
2024-04-11
Authors
Καλουπτσόγλου, Αθανασία
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Abstract
This Master Thesis aims to explore the intricate brain mechanisms involved in the observation of goal-oriented actions, such as grasping an object, as well as actions that are either imitative or not fully executed, such as mimicking a grasp. The central question of our work is whether brain activity in observing such motor events can be used as a reliable predictor of the execution of these movements, providing deeper insights into the operational dynamics of mirror neurons, a group of neurons believed to be pivotal in understanding and mimicking the actions of others. In order to address this issue, a comprehensive approach was utilized, which involved the use of several methods such as time-domain, frequency-domain, and time-frequency domain. Additionally, advanced statistical techniques including t-tests and mass univariate analysis were implemented. Various machine learning methods, including linear classifiers and more advanced algorithms, were employed to confirm and enhance the predictive power of identified neural markers. The investigation revealed a promising predictor - a significant difference between these two conditions, grasping and mimicking a grasp, that consistently appeared around 3 seconds before observing the motor event. In addition to broadening our comprehension of how mirror neurons work, these results may have wider implications for creating neuroprosthetics that are easier to use and for coming up with new ways to treat motor rehabilitation, with an emphasis on how neural systems can adapt and predict responses to upcoming motor actions.
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Keywords
EEG analysis, Motor mirror neurons