Imitation and observational learning of hand actions: Prefrontal involvement and connectivity

► Prefrontal cortex was involved in a rapid imitation task with low memory load. ► Connectivity confirmed between prefrontal cortex and mirror neuron system. ► Prefrontal cortex activations were correlated with observational practice effects. ► Observational practice lacked neural efficiency effects in putamen and cingulate. ► We confirmed practice-induced activation decreases in imitation and observation.