Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface in Rehabilitation of Upper Limb Motor Dysfunction After Stroke
Published on: September 1, 2023
Motor hand representation in cortical area 44
Takenori Uozumi1, A Tamagawa, T Hashimoto
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu, Japan. takenori@med.uoehu.ac.jp
Objective:
To elucidate whether area 44 of human frontal cortex is essential for the organization of voluntary hand movements or not, the authors examined effects of single transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of human area 44 on voluntary hand movement and electromyography (EMG) activities in hand muscles.
Method:
Surface EMG responses were recorded from the thenar muscles of 10 normal subjects following TMS over area 44. Stimuli were applied 2 cm anterior to the primary tongue motor area.
Results:
Single TMS over area 44 could easily interrupt target-oriented hand movements. Human area 44 has facilitatory and inhibitory effects over both tonic and phasic finger movements. It is shown that single TMS of area 44 produces motor evoked potential from hand muscles.
Conclusion:
Human area 44 is involved in voluntary hand movements and has direct fast-conducting corticospinal projections.
Related Concept Videos
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.
Somatosensation
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association 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,...
Direct Motor Pathways
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and the...
Hierarchy of Motor Control

