Short Article
Alexander Erzin
Abstract
Since the discovery by Rizzolatti in the 80-90s of the 20th century the first mirror cells in the premotor cortex, the researchers found various functional specialization subsystems of mirror neurons in other cortical and subcortical brain structures: somatosensory, auditory cortex, limbic system. The aim of our study was to establish the nature of the influence of the mirror neurons systems on perceived successful aging in the elderly. The study involved 26 people (70.56 ± 9.9), of which 9 males and 17 females. The control group included 18 young people (21-22 years old). To assess subjective well-being, the “Index of successful aging” Inventory was used. The mirror neurons was studied by means of 24 video and audio clips and images that we developed that supposedly stimulate the activity of mirror-cell networks of different functions: motor, tactile, emotional, and acoustic nonverbal networks. The study showed that the accuracy of identifying emotional and acoustic stimuli has the most positive effect on successful aging. The subjective assessment of emotional stimuli has a negative effect. Excessive affectation serves as a negative predictor of successful aging, while attaching importance to tactile and acoustic stimuli has a positive effect on it.