Hebbian learning and predictive mirror neurons for actions, sensations and emotions

作者：Keysers Christian^*; Gazzola Valeria

来源：Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 2014, 369(1644): 20130175.

DOI：10.1098/rstb.2013.0175

• mirror neurons
• Hebbian learning
• active inference
• vicarious activations
• mind-reading
• projection

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity is considered the neurophysiological basis of Hebbian learning and has been shown to be sensitive to both contingency and contiguity between pre- and postsynaptic activity. Here, we will examine how applying this Hebbian learning rule to a system of interconnected neurons in the presence of direct or indirect re-afference (e. g. seeing/hearing one's own actions) predicts the emergence of mirror neurons with predictive properties. In this framework, we analyse how mirror neurons become a dynamic system that performs active inferences about the actions of others and allows joint actions despite sensorimotor delays. We explore how this system performs a projection of the self onto others, with egocentric biases to contribute to mind-reading. Finally, we argue that Hebbian learning predicts mirror-like neurons for sensations and emotions and review evidence for the presence of such vicarious activations outside the motor system.

• 出版日期2014-6-5