Anatomy

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when an animal acts or observes the same action of another thus coding the motor response. They were originally discovered in the premotor and parietal cortex of the monkey and studies have shown that neurons that have a similar mechanism are present in humans. Mirror neurons are theorized to be related to social cognition.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Neurons that fire when an animal acts or observes the same action of another thus coding the motor response. They were originally discovered in the premotor and parietal cortex of the monkey and studies have shown that neurons that have a similar mechanism are present in humans. Mirror neurons are theorized to be related to social cognition.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Mirror Neuron
  • Neuron, Mirror
  • Neurons, Mirror

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2012

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Neurons (1999-2011)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A08w.675w.500w
  2. A11w.671w.487w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Mirror Neurons. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D059167. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D059167
  2. Mirror Neurons. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_neuron
  3. Mirror Neurons. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q309082