Objective One of the most intriguing, yet controversial findings in neuroscience in the past two decades is the discovery of the mirror neuron system (MNS). These visuo-motor neurons discharge both when a monkey does a particular goal-directed action and also when it observes another individual doing a similar action. The result of this mechanism is thought to be the capacity to recognize that an individual is performing an action, to differentiate this action from others analogous to it, and to use this information in order to act appropriately. This mechanism has been proposed as the basis for social cognition, and deficits in social understanding, such as those seen in autism spectrum disorder, have been linked to deficits in the MNS. Here I propose to use 2 novel approaches to address the neurobiological and behavioral significance of the human mirror neuron system (hMNS). (a) I will use Electrocorticography (ECoG) in neurosurgical patients to assess where, when, and how neurons in the prefrontal, parietal and sensorimotor regions are involved in action recognition. (b) I will employ scalp EEG and behavioral measures in a unique cohort of patients with damage centered in the Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG) or the Inferior Parietal Lobule (IPL). If the IFG and IPL are the core regions of the hMNS, patients with lesions to these regions should show deficits in understanding others’ actions, intentions and emotions (when these are expressed by body motion). This research will further our knowledge on the neural underpinnings of social understanding, and on the consequences of deficits in these neural networks. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyepilepsynatural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycognitive neurosciencemedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologystrokemedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepsychiatryschizophrenianatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencecomputational intelligence Keywords mirror neurons motor simulation understanding others embodied cognition EEG lesion patients ECoG Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-GF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM Net EU contribution € 263 385,00 Address EDMOND J SAFRA CAMPUS GIVAT RAM 91904 Jerusalem Israel See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 263 385,00 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA United States Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address FRANKLIN STREET 1111 12 FLOOR 94607 OAKLAND CA See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 172 130,40