Shedding new light on developmental coordination disorder: an investigation of behavioural and neuroimaging evidence for mirror neuron system dysfunction

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by an inability to perform movement skills at an age appropriate level. It is one of the most common childhood movement disorders, however, little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. Using behavioural and neuroimaging techniques, this research explored whether dysfunction of the mirror neuron system (a cortical network supporting motor learning via imitation and internal representation of movement) is associated with DCD. Although imitation and motor imagery deficits were highly prevalent, neuroimaging results pointed to disruption of attention and motor planning processes.