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Eye-hand interactions differ in the human premotor and parietal cortices
Paul van Donkelaar1, Ji-Hang Lee, Anthony S Drew
1Department of Exercise and Movement Science, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1240, USA. paulvd@darkwing.uoregon.edu
Human Movement Science
|October 17, 2002
Summary
The human premotor cortex (PMC) influences sensorimotor transformations for reaching. Disrupting the PMC enhanced the effect of eye movement size on arm reach, suggesting limb-centered coding.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Sensorimotor transformation is crucial for visually guided reaching.
- Understanding the neural basis of eye-hand coordination is an active research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the human premotor cortex (PMC) in sensorimotor transformations for reaching.
- To determine how the PMC contributes to coordinated eye and hand movements.
Main Methods:
- Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to temporarily disrupt PMC activity.
- Subjects performed open-loop pointing movements with varying saccade amplitudes.
- The effect of TMS on the relationship between saccade and pointing movement amplitude was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Without TMS, pointing movement amplitude increased with saccade amplitude.
- Applying TMS to the PMC 100-200 ms after target presentation amplified the influence of saccade amplitude on pointing movement amplitude.
- This effect was opposite to that observed when TMS was applied to the posterior parietal cortex (PPC).
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest the PMC plays a role in coding reach plans in limb-centered coordinates.
- This contrasts with the PPC, which may code reach plans in eye-centered coordinates.
- The study elucidates distinct coordinate frames used by different brain regions in motor control.