A motor resonance mechanism in children? Evidence from subdural electrodes in a 36-month-old child.

The presence of a neural mechanism matching execution and observation of actions in the adult human brain is well established. In children, however, description of a resonance motor mechanism is still preliminary. In the present study, we recorded electroencephalographic signals from a subdural 64-contact grid electrode in a 36-month-old child with epilepsy. Spectral analysis was performed on sequences where the child drew with her right hand, watched an experimenter drawing with his right hand or was at rest. Contact sites corresponding to sensorimotor areas were discovered where absolute power was decreased during both observation and execution of hand/arm actions. These data suggest the presence of a mirror neuron system early in the developing brain.