Trait representation of embodied cognition in dancers pivoting on the extended mirror neuron system: a resting-state fMRI study

Ching-Ju Yang; Hsin-Yen Yu; Tzu-Yi Hong; Chung-Heng Shih; Tzu-Chen Yeh; Li-Fen Chen; Jen-Chuen Hsieh

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2023.1173993

Trait representation of embodied cognition in dancers pivoting on the extended mirror neuron system: a resting-state fMRI study

Front Hum Neurosci. 2023 Jul 10:17:1173993. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1173993. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Ching-Ju Yang^{1

2}, Hsin-Yen Yu³, Tzu-Yi Hong^{1

2}, Chung-Heng Shih¹, Tzu-Chen Yeh^{1

4}, Li-Fen Chen^{1

2

5

6}, Jen-Chuen Hsieh^{2

6

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
² Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.
³ Graduate Institute of Arts and Humanities Education, Taipei National University of the Arts, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁵ Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁶ Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁷ Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
⁸ Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Abstract

Introduction: Dance is an art form that integrates the body and mind through movement. Dancers develop exceptional physical and mental abilities that involve various neurocognitive processes linked to embodied cognition. We propose that dancers' primary trait representation is movement-actuated and relies on the extended mirror neuron system (eMNS).

Methods: A total of 29 dancers and 28 non-dancer controls were recruited. A hierarchical approach of intra-regional and inter-regional functional connectivity (FC) analysis was adopted to probe trait-like neurodynamics within and between regions in the eMNS during rest. Correlation analyses were employed to examine the associations between dance training, creativity, and the FC within and between different brain regions.

Results: Within the eMNS, dancers exhibited increased intra-regional FC in various brain regions compared to non-dancers. These regions include the left inferior frontal gyrus, left ventral premotor cortex, left anterior insula, left posterior cerebellum (crus II), and bilateral basal ganglia (putamen and globus pallidus). Dancers also exhibited greater intrinsic inter-regional FC between the cerebellum and the core/limbic mirror areas within the eMNS. In dancers, there was a negative correlation observed between practice intensity and the intrinsic FC within the eMNS involving the cerebellum and basal ganglia. Additionally, FCs from the basal ganglia to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were found to be negatively correlated with originality in dancers.

Discussion: Our results highlight the proficient communication within the cortical-subcortical hierarchy of the eMNS in dancers, linked to the automaticity and cognitive-motor interactions acquired through training. Altered functional couplings in the eMNS can be regarded as a unique neural signature specific to virtuoso dancers, which might predispose them for skilled dancing performance, perception, and creation.

Keywords: dancer; embodied cognition; extended mirror neuron system; functional connectivity; long-term training effect; neuroplasticity; resting-state functional MRI.

Grants and funding

This work was financially supported by the National Science and Technology Council (NSC 102-2420-H-075-001-MY3, NSC 102-2420-H-075-001-MY3-2, NSC 102-2420-H-075-001-MY3-3, NSC 102-2420-H-010-005-MY3, NSC 102-2420-H-010-005-MY3-2, and NSC 102-2420-H-010-005-MY3-3), the Taipei Veterans General Hospital (V99C1-155), “Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS²B)” and Brain Research Center of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University from The Featured Areas Research Center Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan, and the Aim for the Top University Plan of the MOE for National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.