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Brain activation related to the change between bimanual motor programs
B M de Jong1, A T Willemsen, A M Paans
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands.
Neuroimage
|March 17, 1999
Summary
Positron emission tomography identified brain areas involved in initiating motor programs. Specifically, the posterior parietal cortex activation suggests a role in motor intention and body scheme representation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Motor Control
Background:
- Understanding the neural basis of motor program initiation is crucial for explaining complex movements.
- Previous research suggests involvement of parietal and premotor cortices in motor control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific cerebral foci of neuronal activation during the initiation of a motor program.
- To differentiate activation related to motor program switching from general movement and attention.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to measure cerebral blood flow.
- Participants performed bimanual flexion and extension movements in alternating in- and antiphase conditions.
- A control condition involved regular movements without phase changes, with attention and random movements as additional variables.
Main Results:
- Activation was observed at the posterior border of the left angular gyrus, right precuneus, right premotor cortex, and right medial prefrontal cortex.
- The posterior parietal activation remained significant even when controlling for attention and random movements.
- Right premotor and medial prefrontal cortex activation correlated with both motor program switching and suppression of irrelevant stimuli.
Conclusions:
- The posterior parietal cortex activation may reflect the coding of motor intention and its relation to the body scheme.
- Lesions in the left posterior parietal cortex might cause disorientation and apraxia due to an inability to transpose motor plans.
- The premotor and medial prefrontal cortex activation supports their role in motor preparation, including internally guided movement selection and stimulus suppression.