Elevated mirror neuron system activity in bipolar mania: Evidence from a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The role of the "mirror neuron system" (MNS) in the pathophysiology of mood disorders is not well studied. Given its posited role in the often-impaired socio-emotional processes like intention detection, empathy, and imitation, we compared putative MNS-activity in patients with bipolar mania and healthy comparison subjects. We also examined the association between putative MNS-activity and hyper-imitative behaviors in patients.

Methods

We studied 39 medication-free individuals diagnosed with mania and 45 healthy comparison subjects. TMS-evoked motor cortical reactivity was measured via single- and paired-pulse stimuli (assessing SICI-short and LICI-long interval intracortical inhibition) while subjects viewed a static image and goal-directed actions. Manic symptom

SUBMITTER: Basavaraju R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7610514 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature