Mirror Neurons and the Brain «error Detector» in Recognition of Correct and Errors

Introduction. The study of the role of the mirror neuron system and the brain «error detector» in human social behavior is an urgent scientific and practical problem. This is due to the fact that the success of the labor and cognitive activity of a modern person, his adaptation to the social environment significantly depends on the functioning of these systems. The objective of this review was to analyze current research aimed at studying the role of the mirror neuron system and the brain’s «error detector» in recognizing the correctness or incorrectness of one’s own actions or the actions of another person. Literture review. Literature analysis confirms the key role of the brain’s «error detector» in regulating cognitive control, behavioral adaptation, and learning processes. The neurophysiological basis of this system is formed by the anterior cingulate cortex, basal ganglia, and dopaminergic system. The interaction of these structures allows the body to promptly detect errors, adjust behavioral strategies, and optimize decision-making processes. Electrophysiological markers of these processes are error-related negativity (ERN) and error-feedback signal (EFS)-related negativity, recorded using electroencephalography, as well as their variations detected when observing other people’s errors. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the interaction of the mirror neuron system and the error detector, which emphasizes the importance of these systems in social adaptation and learning. These studies show that observing others’ errors activates the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), ventral premotor cortex, and inferior parietal lobule, providing a neurophysiological basis for mechanisms of social cognition. The MRNS that occurs when evaluating others’ errors indicates the involvement of the mirror neuron system (MNS) in the analysis and prediction of other people’s behavior. Studies have also revealed the clinical significance of MRNS in psychiatry. Patients with anxiety disorders have increased MRNS amplitude, indicating hypersensitivity to errors and excessive behavioral control. At the same time, decreased MRNS amplitude is characteristic of patients with depression, which may reflect weakened cognitive control and difficulties in adapting to errors. Impaired error monitoring is also observed in schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, where changes in the ACC and mirror neuron system activity may explain the deficit in social interaction and excessive fixation on errors. In addition, modern studies indicate the possibility of modulating the brain’s «error detector» using transcranial magnetic stimulation, pharmacological interventions, and cognitive training. Stimulation of the ACC and MNS allows changing sensitivity to errors and behavioral adaptability, which may be a promising direction in the treatment of cognitive and emotional disorders. Conclusion. Thus, the available literature data indicate that the brain’s «error detector» and the mirror neuron system are an interconnected neurocognitive network that ensures error monitoring, learning, and social adaptation. At the same time, it remains unclear how exactly the MNS modulates the activity of the ACC in detecting other people’s errors, as well as the role of different types of mirror neurons and individual human characteristics in these processes. What effect do mental disorders and altered states of consciousness have on the nature of the interaction of these systems? The solution to these issues is not only theoretical, but also practical in terms of diagnosis and correction of such disorders.