Anticipatory simulation of implied actions in the human motor system

Memory for the final position or configuration of amoving object is distorted forward along its actual or implied path of motion representational momentum). This may allow humans to anticipate the forthcoming position of moving objects or creatures. By using single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we tested whether mirror motor facilitation is higher during extrapolation of dynamic information about forward than backward action paths. The results show that motor facilitation is specific for the observation of snapshots evoking ongoing but incomplete actions. This suggests that the motor cortico-spinal component of the observation-execution matching system is preferentially activated by the inner anticipatory simulation of the deployment of an action in the future