Date: 17 March, 2016
Time: 17:30 – 18:30
Venue: South Auditorium, Faculty of Health Sciences
Attendance confirmation: Dr Paulann Grech or Dr Josianne Scerri
Seeing is doing -- at least it is when mirror neurons are working normally. However, world-renowned neuroscientist Professor Giacomo Rizzolatti, who discovered these unique neurons in the frontal and premotor cortex while doing research on the neural representation of motor movements in monkeys, insists that the brain circuits that enable people to perceive and understand the actions of others do not behave in the usual way in individuals with autism.
According to new studies, individuals with autism show a dysfunctional mirror neuron system: their mirror neurons respond only to what they do and not to the doings of others. The human mirror neuron system is now thought to be involved not only in the execution and observation of movement, but also in higher cognitive processes -- language, for instance, or being able to imitate and learn from others' actions, or decode their intentions and empathize with their pain. Because autism is characterized, in part, by deficits in exactly these sorts of social interaction and communication skills, research has suggested that a dysfunctional mirror neuron system may explain the observed pathology. Individuals with autism may have a dysfunctional mirror neuron system, which may contribute to many of their impairments -- especially those that involve comprehending and responding appropriately to others' behaviour. The new evidence adds to understanding the neural basis of autism and may point the way to early diagnosis and to potential therapies. In turn, earlier diagnosis could lead to earlier interventions.
On Thursday 17 March, 2016 Prof. Rizzolatti will deliver a Public Lecture at the South Auditorium, Faculty of Health Sciences between 17:30 and 18:30. During this lecture, he will review the neurophysiology of the mirror neuron system and its role in social cognition. The clinical implications of mirror neuron dysfunction shall also be discussed. This lecture is part of the Malta Brain Awareness week, a national campaign organised by Malta Neuroscience Network to increase public awareness on the progress and benefits of brain research.
Professor Giacomo Rizzolatti is Professor Emeritus in Physiology at the University of Parma and Director of the Social and Motor Cognition Centre at the Italian Institute of Technology. He has been appointed by Rector Professor Juanito Camilleri as Senior Researcher Advisor by the University of Malta within the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry as of January 2016.
This event will mark the launch of the Department of Mental Health, within the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta. The role of this department is to develop and deliver programmes of study for all professional disciplines working within the specialty of mental health. It is the intention to provide specific postgraduate degrees in aspects of mental health care, such as rehabilitation, child and adolescence and substance misuse and short courses in similar topics that may well also be open to the general public.