Brain motion and

emotion

Billy O’Connor

Professor of Physiology

Graduate Entry Medical School,

University of Limerick.

Ireland.

22nd July 2015

Learning objectives

1. What is the link between physical activity and human brain

evolution?

2. How has human brain evolution enabled us to emotionally

engage and anticipate the intentions of others?

Many cortical areas are involved in initiating a movement.

Brain regions and functions

What the

person does What the

person senses

Let's not forget that humans also gained endurance by running from predators.

Humans have a brain that is about three times the size that would be

expected, given our body size in comparison with that of other mammals.

Physical activity made our brains human

June 22, 2011

Physical activity and academic performance in school-age

children

Why is this?

Physical activity and academic performance in school-age

children

Nature neuroscience reviews

Vol 9. 2008.

Exercise increases ‘neurogenesis’

(growth of neurons) in the

hippocampus - a region important for

memory and implicated in cognitive

aging. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 104(13):5638-43 (2007).

Warmer colours indicate higher

levels of nerve growth factor in the

hippocampus of [A] exercising

animals compared to [B] sedentary

animals

- blue indicates the lowest level.

Fitness training increases neurogenesis

Stroke recovery is boosted by prozac (fluoxetine)

Read more on Inside-the-brain

Group behaviours (social contagion)

THE SOCIAL BRAIN & THE MIRROR NEURON

SYSTEM

Mirror neurons are a means of understanding another’s intentions and are not just

about copying actions. They form a part of our capacity to understand others and

empathise with them.

The mirror neuron system enables us to engage with others

Science, 325, 5938, 284, 2009.

Empathy is facilitated when we share attention.

The social brain and the mirror neuron system

Read more on Inside-the-brain

“Fortune favours the prepared mind.” - Louis Pasteur.

Mind set Skills Education

Interesting books in this area

1. Physical endurance drives human brain evolution by promoting

neurogenesis.

2. The evolution of the brain mirror neuron system enables us to

respond sympathetically and to anticipate the intentions of

others.

Summary