A language-related coactivation of hand motor cortex on the left hemisphere

Introduction: Manual gestures are believed to denote an early step during the evolution of language preceding vocalisation. According to this theory development of the so-called mirror neuron system which is active in the brain during observation and execution of an action was a necessary prerequisite of the emergence of human communication. If so, cortical systems for dominant hand use and language may be closely connected.Using functional magnetíc resonance imaging, the present study tested whether there are functional interaction between the cortical systems for planning and execution of hand movements and li…