peilisolujärjestelmän

Peilisolujärjestelmä, often translated as mirror neuron system, refers to a network of neurons in the brain that activate both when an individual performs an action and when they observe another individual performing the same action. These neurons are thought to play a crucial role in understanding the intentions and actions of others, facilitating social cognition, and enabling learning through imitation.

The discovery of mirror neurons in primates in the 1990s by Giacomo Rizzolatti and his colleagues marked a significant advancement in neuroscience. While the exact human mirror neuron system is still a subject of ongoing research and debate, functional neuroimaging studies suggest the presence of analogous neural circuits in humans, particularly in areas such as the premotor cortex, supplementary motor area, and the inferior parietal lobule.

The proposed functions of the mirror neuron system are extensive. It is believed to be fundamental for empathy, allowing us to "feel" what others are experiencing by mirroring their emotional states. It also underpins our ability to learn new skills by observing and imitating, which is a cornerstone of human development and cultural transmission. Furthermore, the system is implicated in language acquisition, understanding gestures, and even in the development of theory of mind, the capacity to attribute mental states to oneself and others. Dysfunctions in the mirror neuron system have been hypothesized to be associated with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.