Resonance of cortico-cortical connections of the motor system with the observation of goal directed grasping movements

▶ Goal directed movements require the activation of parietal, premotor and primary motor areas. ▶ In monkeys, neurons of these areas become active also during the observation of movements performed by others. ▶ Using bifocal TMS, we show that, in humans, the simple observation of successful goal directed actions is sufficient to activate short-latency cortico-cortical connections between non primary and primary motor areas. ▶ A similar profile of activation was observed when testing a specific facilitatory intracortical circuit in M1, that is known to reflect the input from other cortical areas.