Increased mirror neuron system activity and communication during live interaction in women

Live facial expressions enhanced subjective valence and arousal ratings, as well as facial muscular responses.

• Real-time facial expressions engaged the right posterior superior temporal sulcus, right inferior frontal gyrus, right amygdala, and right fusiform gyrus more than pre-recorded videos.
• Live performances altered effective connectivity within the right mirror neuron system, which includes the inferior frontal gyrus, posterior superior temporal sulcus, and right inferior parietal lobule.
• A support vector machine algorithm classified brain activation patterns associated with dynamic facial expression processing in the mentalizing networks, specifically the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex.
• The findings suggest that live social interaction may enhance spontaneous mimicry and facilitate emotional contagion.

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