Nervenheilkunde 2008; 27(05): 394-402
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1627326
Original- und Übersichtsarbeiten - Original and Review Articles
Schattauer GmbH

Empathie, Spiegelneuronensystem und Schizophrenie

Empathy, mirror neurons and schizophrenia
T. Kircher
1   Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie (Direktor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. soc. Schneider)
,
S. Krach
1   Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie (Direktor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. soc. Schneider)
2   Zentrale Serviceeinrichtung Funktionelle Bildgebung des IZKF-Biomat, RWTH Aachen Universitätsklinik
,
D. Leube
1   Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie (Direktor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. soc. Schneider)
› Institutsangaben
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Publikationsverlauf

Eingegangen am: 08. November 2007

angenommen am: 01. Februar 2008

Publikationsdatum:
20. Januar 2018 (online)

Zusammenfassung

Das Spiegelneuronensystem (ventrolateraler präfrontaler Kortex, inferiorer Parietallappen, Sulcus temporalis superior) und dessen emotional-soziale Erweiterung (medialer Präfrontalkortex, Insula, Amygdala) sind aktiviert, wenn eigene Handlungen ausgeführt und wenn Handlungen anderer beobachtet werden, einschließlich subtiler emotionaler Verhaltensweisen. Die Fähigkeit zum Imitationslernen sowie zur Empathie könnte diesem Mechanismus zugrunde liegen. Die Gefahr besteht darin, dass eigene und fremdinitiierte Aktionen nicht mehr unterschieden werden können. Efferenzkopiemechanismen ermöglichen diese Selbst-/ Fremdunterscheidung von Handlungen. Es wird vermutet, dass dieser Mechanismus für das Gefühl der Agentenschaft von Handlungen, Gedanken und Gefühlen verantwortlich ist. Eine Störung des Spiegelneuronensystems könnte den Symptomen des Autismus und der Affektstörungen zugrunde liegen, eine Störung des Efferenzkopiemechanismus dem der Ich-Störungen und Halluzinationen bei Patienten mit Schizophrenie.

Summary

The mirror neuron system (ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex, inferior parietal lobe, superior temporal sulcus) and its emotional-social annexe (medial prefrontal cortex, insula and amygdala) are activated either during self-initiated execution of actions or during the observation of these actions carried out by another person. These actions also include subtle emotional displays. Imitation learning as well as empathizing may result from this mechanism. However, the question arises how the initiation of self- and other initiated-actions can be distinguished. Efference copy mechanisms are thought to be involved in the differentiation between these alternatives. It is assumed that this mechanism provides a feeling of agency for actions, thoughts and emotions. A dysfunction of the mirror neuron system may underlie autism and disorders of affect in schizophrenia. Dysfunctions of the efference copy mechanism may underlay passivity symptoms (ego-disturbances) and hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.

 
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