Reward modulates the mirror neuron system in XXXX : A study into the mu rhythm suppression, empathy, and mental state attribution.

@entity1 @entity73 @entity161
UNASSIGNED: Impairments in the mirror neuron system (MNS) have been implicated as a possible underlying neurological basis for @entity73 in @entity161 . Previous work testing this hypothesis has used the electroencephalographic mu rhythm as an index of MNS activity, with studies showing mixed results. Here we investigated the role that reward plays in modulating the mu rhythm, and its association with empathy and emotional mental state reasoning. A group of @entity161 @entity1 and a healthy control group completed an action observation paradigm in which they watched actions that were financially rewarding, punishing, or neutral. @entity1 showed intact reward-related modulation of the mu rhythm, and greater mu suppression was associated with greater negative symptoms. There was also a trend for reduced mu suppression in @entity1 . Furthermore, both empathy and emotional mental state reasoning were associated with the degree of mu suppression, but only in healthy controls. These findings confirm the association between the mu suppression and high-level social cognition. It is possible that @entity161 @entity1 @entity73 to infer mental states. The demonstration that reward influences the degree of mu suppression in @entity161 @entity1 may help to account for previous conflicting findings in the literature.
