Abstract
Humans can acquire new skills through imitation. To imitate novel actions that are not stored in their motor repertoire, dynamic matching between the observed action and self-action including temporospatial movement pattern is important. The purpose of this study was to identify brain regions involved in dynamic matching processes using fMRI. We employed a 2*2 design, with factors of type of stimulus presentation (dynamic or static) and task (imitation or observation). First, meaningless gestures were displayed in either dynamic movie from first- to end-state or in static pictures showing only first- and end-state. Subjects then either imitated or did nothing indicated by a color of fixation (red/blue). Results showed significant interaction of activation with higher responses in dynamic imitation in the right lateral occipital cortex, right parietal operculum and left superior parietal lobule, indicating that these areas are involved in dynamic matching between observed and self-actions.
