An EEG Study of Human Mirror Neuron System Activities During Abstract Symbolic Communication

Abstract

Although the mirror neuron system is thought to be responsible for intention understanding in pantomimic communication, mirror neuron activity during symbolic communication, specifically when using only abstract symbols without direct somatotopic mapping, remains unclear. In the present study, we studied the activities of the mirror neuron system with electroencephalography during a coordination game involving symbolic communication about virtual positions. We found significant power suppression for the mu and beta bands during the processing of both meaningful and meaningless symbols, with the for- mer condition yielding a stronger result. This result suggests the involvement of the human mirror neuron system when interpreting the lexical meaning of commu- nicative figures during abstract symbolic communication about non-somatotopic concepts. Thus, this supports the idea that symbolic communication may also be rooted in action understanding.