The functional role of the human mirror system in action priming

Highly-motivated candidates are sought for a PhD research studentship offered in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham.

Observing other peoples actions has a strong influence on how we perform our own actions. The neural correlates of this phenomenon are of great interest. Mirror neurons, as first discovered in macaque monkeys, are neurons that fire not only when we perform a particular action but also when we watch someone else perform that same action. They have been proposed to provide a common neural basis for both visual and motor representations of actions. Although the networks thought to comprise the human MNS have been well-identified using neuroimaging methods, the functional role of this activity in action priming has yet to be fully established.

Under the supervision of Dr Craig McAllister (University of Birmingham) and Prof Klaus Kessler (Aston University), the successful candidate will explore how the observation of other people’s actions primes motor-related activity within the human brain. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) methods and connectivity analysis will be used to identify brain regions (i.e. human MNS) which are active during both the observation and execution of actions. The activity of this network will be characterised and compared during the execution of actions cued by biological and non-biological stimuli (i.e. body parts vs. abstract shapes). These data will be used to inform subsequent interference studies, whereby transcranial magnetic stimulation or transcranial alternating current stimulation methods will be used to explore the functional role of the human MNS activity in action priming.

Candidates should have a very good honours degree (at least 2:1 or equivalent) and/or Masters’ qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Psychology/Neuroscience). Previous experience with neuroimaging and/or brain stimulation methods would be desirable, as would programming skills in MATLAB.

Informal enquiries about the PhD project should be directed to Dr Craig McAllister (email [Email Address Removed]). Application forms should be submitted via the University’s admissions system by 5th of July 2014 . Interviews will be conducted shortly after the deadline.
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Further information about the PhD research in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation can be found at http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise/courses/postgraduate/index.aspx