• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.45-53
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this article was to review the literature on mirror neuron system with reference to its functional diversity in stroke rehabilitation.. Method : This review outlines scientific findings regarding different neurophysiological properties in mirror neurons, and discusses their involvement in process of stroke rehabilitation. Result & Conclusions : Mirror neurons were first discovered in macaque monkey. These neurons, like most neurons in F5 areas in premotor cortex, fired when an individual performs an action, as well as when he/she observes a similar action done by another individual, although originally fired only during action execution. Mirror neurons form a network for motor planning and initiating of motor action. Thus, in stroke rehabilitation based on the mirror neuron-action observation, motor imagery, observation with intent to imitate and imitation-may help activate mirror neuron system for improved outcome of physical therapy. These studies provide a scientific theoretical basis and discuss for the use of mirror neuron system as a complement to clinical physical therapy in stroke rehabilitation.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.583-588
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• 2024

With the emergence of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology, analyzing mirror neurons has become more feasible. However, evaluating the accuracy of BCI systems that rely on human thoughts poses challenges due to their qualitative nature. To harness the potential of BCI, we propose a new approach to measure accuracy based on the characteristics of mirror neurons in the human brain that are influenced by speech speed, depending on the ultimate goal of movement. In Chapter 2 of this paper, we introduce mirror neurons and provide an explanation of human posture estimation for mirror neurons. In Chapter 3, we present a powerful pose estimation method suitable for real-time dynamic environments using the technique of human posture estimation. Furthermore, we propose a method to analyze the accuracy of BCI using this robotic environment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 1994

Using 2 to 4 day-old postnatal rats, primary brain cell cultures were made from various brain regions (substantia nigra, hippocampus, striatum, and nucleus accumbens). Whole-cell patch clamp technique was used for electrophysiological studies. Neurons cultured from substantia nigra were characterized more in detail to test whether these cultured neurons were appropriate for physiological studies. Immunocytochemical and electrophysiological properties of these cultured neurons agreed with those from other in vivo or in vitro studies suggesting that cultured neurons maintained normal cytological and physiological conditions. Modulation of ionic channels through dopamine receptors were studied from brain areas where dopamine plays important roles on brain functions. When neurons were clamped near resting membrane potential (-74mV), R(+), R(+)-SKF 38393, a specific D$_1$receptor agonist, activated cultured striatal neurons, and dopamine itself produced biphasic responses. Responses of cultured hippocampal neurons to dopamine agonists were kinds of mirror images to those from striatal neurons; D$_1$receptor agonists inhibited hippocampal neurons but quinpirole, a D$_2$receptor agonist, activated them. Neurons cultured from nucleus accumbens were inhibited by dopamine.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.606-611
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• 2014

The understanding of another's behavior is a fundamental cognitive ability for primates including humans. Recent neuro-physiological studies suggested that there is a direct matching algorithm from visual observation onto an individual's own motor repertories for interpreting cognitive ability. The mirror neurons are known as core regions and are handled as a functionality of intent recognition on the basis of imitative learning of an observed action which is acquired from visual-information of a goal-directed action. In this paper, we addressed previous works used to model the function and mechanisms of mirror neurons and proposed a computational model of a mirror neuron system which can be used in human-robot interaction environments. The major focus of the computation model is the reproduction of an individual's motor repertory with different embodiments. The model's aim is the design of a continuous process which combines sensory evidence, prior task knowledge and a goal-directed matching of action observation and execution. We also propose a biologically inspired plausible equation model.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.272-274
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• 2012

Phantom limb pain is a painful sensation that is perceived in a body part that no longer exists. To control this pain, many methods have been used such as medication, physical treatment, nerve block, neuromodulation, surgical treatment and mirror therapy. However, until now, there effects have been uncertain. We report the successful reduction of phantom limb pain using mirror therapy when other treatments initially failed to control the pain.

• Communications of the Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.43-51
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• 2012

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.157-160
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• 2019

Purpose: We compared the activation pattern of the mirror neurons (MN) between two types of hand movement according to action observation using functional MRI. Methods: Twelve right-handed healthy subjects (5 male and 7 female, mean age $21.92{\pm}2.02years$) participated in the experiment. During fMRI scanning, subjects underwent two different stimuli on the screen: 1) video clips showing repeated grasping and releasing of the ball via simple hand movement (SHM), and (2) video clips showing an actor performing a Purdue Pegboard test via complex hand movement (CHM). paired t-test in statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was used to compare the activation differences between the two types of hand movement. Results: CHM as compared with the SHM produced a higher blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal response in the right superior frontal gyrus, left inferior and superior parietal lobules, and lingual gyrus. However, no greater BOLD signal response was found by SHM compared with CHM (FWE corrected, p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings provided that the activation patterns for observation of SHM and CHM are different. CHM also elicited boarder or stronger activations in the brain, including inferior parietal lobule called the MN region.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.517-551
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• 2012

We are imitating animals. True imitation can be defined as a learning to do an act from seeing it done by others. We have been building culture by imitating others' skills and knowledge with high fidelity. In this regard, it is important to ask how the faculty of imitation has evolved and how imitation behaviors develop ontogenetically. It is also interesting to see whether nonhuman animals can imitate truly or not and how different imitation learning is among human and non-human animals. In this paper, first I review empirical data from imitation studies with human and nonhuman animals. Comparing different species, I highlight their different levels of copying fidelity and explain the reason why they are showing the difference. Then I review recent studies on neurobiological mechanisms underlying imitation. The initial neurobiological studies on imitation in humans suggested a core imitation circuitry composed of mirror neuron system [inferior parietal lobule(IPL) and inferior frontal gyrus(IFG)] and the posterior part of the superior temporal sulcus(pSTS). More recent studies on the neurobiology of imitation, however, has gone beyond the studies on the core mechanisms. Finally, I try to find out implications of psychology and biology of imitation for cultural evolution. I argue for a memetic approach to cultural evolution, along the lines with a recent study on measuring memes by mirror neurons system.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 2009

Integrated circuit of a new neuron chain with a synapse function for Hodgkin-Huxley model which is a good electrical model about a real biological neuron is implemented in a $0.5{\mu}m$ 1 poly 2 metal CMOS technology. Pulse type neuron chain consist of series connected current controlled single neurons through synapses. For the realization of the single neuron, a pair of voltage mode oscillators using operational transconductance amplifiers and capacitors is used. The synapse block which is a connection element between neurons consist of a voltage-current conversion circuit using current mirror. SPICE simulation results of the proposed circuit show 160 mV amplitude pulse output and propagation of the signal through synapses. Measurements of the fabricated pulse type neuron chip in condition of ${\pm}2.5\;V$ power supply are shown and compared with the simulated results.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.135-139
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare EEG topographical maps in patients with chronic stroke after action observation physical training. Methods: Ten subjects were recruited from a medical hospital. Participants observed the action of transferring a small block from one box to another for 6 sessions of 1 minute each, and then performed the observed action for 3 minutes, 6 times. An EEG-based brain mapping system with 32 scalp sites was used to determine cortical reorganization in the regions of interest (ROIs) during observation of movement. The EEG-based brain mapping was comparison in within-group before and after training. ROIs included the primary sensorimotor cortex, premotor cortex, superior parietal lobule, inferior parietal lobule, superior temporal lobe, and visual cortex. EEG data were analyzed with an average log ratio in order to control the variability of the absolute mu power. The mu power log ratio was in within-group comparison with paired t-tests. Results: Participants showed activation prior to the intervention in all of the cerebral cortex, whereas the inferior frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, and inferior parietal cortex were selectively activated after the training. There were no differences in mu power between each session. Conclusion: These findings suggest that action observation physical training contributes to attaining brain reorganization and improving brain functionality, as part of rehabilitation and intervention programs.