Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a promising tool in studying and enhancing mimicry, the automatic imitation of observed actions. TMS involves using magnetic fields to create transient brain lesions, allowing researchers to temporality disrupt specific brain areas and observe the effects on behaviors. It's a noninvasive procedure at it is done without using surgery or cutting the skin (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). This type of procedure is used to stimulate nerves cells in the brain, and "resets" the brain networks that regulate mood. According to Catmur et al. (2009), a study has shown that TMS can influence the motor cortex, thereby affecting mimicry responses. By applying TMS to the motor regions, researchers have gained insights into the neural mechanisms underlying the imitation of facial expressions and gestures.
The potential of TMS in enhancing our understanding of mimicry is truly captivating. The ability to pinpoint and manipulate specific brain regions offers a unique glimpse into the complex interplay, between observation and action. While the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with TMS, the benefits in advancing our knowledge of social cognition and rehabilitation are significant. I find the application of TMS in this context to be a powerful reminded of how cutting edge neuroscience can shed light on the fundamental process that helps with human interactions.
References
Catmur, C., Walsh V., & Heyes, C. (2009). Associative sequence learning: The role of experience in the development of imitaion and the mirror system. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological sciences, 364(1528), 2369-2380.
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Tests & Procedures. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625#:~:text=Overview,surgery%20or%20cutting%20the%20skin.
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