Objective Evidence demonstrating the presence of mirror neurons in the adult human brain has led many researchers to suggest a fundamental role for the mirror neuron system (MNS) in human mentalizing behavior and social cognition. Recent findings have also suggested strong relationships between MNS impairments and neurodevelopmental disorders in which mentalizing behavior is impaired. In light of this evidence, it has become of paramount importance to understand whether or not the MNS is present at birth and how its functional properties develop throughout infancy. The current project will address these questions within the context of a neuroconstructivist framework, according to which a basic perception-action coupling mechanism would be present from birth, and undergoes a series of refinements through experience and visuomotor learning. Using behavioral, electromyographic and electrophysiological measures, the project aims to investigate action understanding and emotion recognition in newborns and infants. Behavioral looking time and eye-movement paradigms will be used to test infants ability to visually anticipate the action s goal. Electromyographic paradigms will allow for testing of when and how the activation of infants muscles is affected by the goal of the observed action or the emotion expressed by the observed face. Electrophysiological paradigms will be used to investigate modulations of infants EEG activity during the execution and observation of grasping actions. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiology Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-SH4 - ERC Starting Grant - The Human Mind and its complexity Call for proposal ERC-2009-StG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO-BICOCCA EU contribution € 1 208 400,00 Address PIAZZA DELL'ATENEO NUOVO 1 20126 MILANO Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Chiara Turati (Dr.) Administrative Contact Federica Dainotti (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO-BICOCCA Italy EU contribution € 1 208 400,00 Address PIAZZA DELL'ATENEO NUOVO 1 20126 MILANO See on map Region Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Chiara Turati (Dr.) Administrative Contact Federica Dainotti (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
