New Frontiers in Mirror Neurons Research

The discovery of mirror neurons caused a revolution in neuroscience and psychology. Nevertheless, because of their profound impact within life sciences, mirror neuron are still the subject of numerous debates concerning their origins and their functions. With more than 20 years of research in this area, it is timely to synthesise the expanding literature on this topic.

'New frontiers in Mirror Neurons' provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in mirror neurons research - accessible both to experts and to non-experts. In the book, leading scholars draw on the latest research to examine methodological approaches, theoretical implications, and the latest findings on mirror neurons research.

A broad range of topics are covered within the book: basic findings and new concepts in action-perception theory, functional properties and evolution, development, and clinical implications. In particular, the last two sections of the book outline the importance of the plasticity and development of the mirror neuron system. This knowledge will be key in future research for helping us understand possible disorders associated with impairments in the mirror neurons system, as well as in helping us design new therapeutic tools for interventions within the field of neurodevelopmental disorders and in neurorehabilitation.

'New Frontiers in Mirror Neurons' is an exciting new work for neuroscientists, psychologists, and philosophers of mind.

Pier Francesco Ferrari, Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma , Italy,Giacomo Rizzolatti,Professor Emeritus, University of Parma, Italy

Pierfrancesco Ferrari is Associate Professor at the University of Parma, Italy, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, USA. Ferrari's current research focuses on the functional role and development of parietal and premotor cortical functions in relation to social cognitive processes in human and nonhuman primates. From 2007 to 2008, Ferrari served as Adjunct Scientist at the NIH, Bethesda, USA, conducting research on cortical development in relation to cognitive functions in macaque monkeys. Together with Giacomo Rizzolatti he is Director of the International School of Neurosciences "Sir John Eccles", at the Ettore Majorana Centre in Erice, Italy.

Giacomo Rizzolatti has been President of the European Brain Behavior Society and Italian Society for Neuroscience. He is the Senior Scientist of the research team that discovered mirror neurons. His main research focus has been the role of the motor cortex in higher cognitive functions. He is member of Accademia dei Lincei, Academie des Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. He is the recipient of several prizes: "Golgi Prize for Physiology", "George Miller Award", "Grawemeyer Prize", Price of Asturias Prize for Science and Technology" Prix J.L. Signoret in Neuropsychologie" from the IPSEN Fondation, and the "Brain Prize from Lundbeck Foundation".