Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention
Published on: September 11, 2017
Activation of somatosensory cortical areas varies with attentional state: an fMRI study
H Hämäläinen1, J Hiltunen, I Titievskaja
1Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland. heikki.hamalainen@utu.fi
Abstract:
The differing roles of SI and SII areas in the somatosensory system have received relatively little interest in previous research. In the present study fMRI was applied to determine possible changes in activations of these areas as a function of attentional modulation (attending vs. not attending to the stimulation of a finger). The results showed that attention induced larger regional changes, mostly enlargements of activated areas, at SII than at SI. The number of instances where new, emerging activations, not present in the non-attend condition, were observed was larger at SII than at SI. These differential attentional effects indicate that SII areas may have a role in more complex tactile functions such as tactile working memory mechanisms.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Somatosensation
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...

