what are mirror neurons

Mirror neurons are a type of neuron that discharge both when an individual executes a motor act and when they observe another individual performing the same or a similar motor act. These neurons were first discovered in the brain of monkeys, and brain activity consistent with that of mirror neurons has been found in the premotor cortex, the supplementary motor area, the primary somatosensory cortex, and the inferior parietal cortex in humans. Essentially, mirror neurons respond to actions that we observe in others, and they fire in the same way when we recreate that action ourselves. Mirror neurons are believed to play a role in a variety of human social interactions, including empathy, learning through mimicry, and even the evolution of language. However, it is important to note that most of the research on these cells has been conducted in monkeys, and there are many different types of mirror neurons. It is still being established whether they exist in humans and how they compare with the monkey versions.