Resistance-based high resolution recording of predefined 2-dimensional pen trajectories in an fMRI setting

The recent advent of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as a readily accessible neuroimaging method has led to exciting new insights into the functioning of the human motor system. However, technical complications related to the fMRI scanner environment often limit the ability to measure the desired behavioral data reflecting the subjects' movements. In order to perform kinematic registrations of predefined complex two-dimensional movement patterns while scanning, a new MR-compatible setup has been developed. The method presented here allows the recording of detailed pen tracing data during concurrent functional image acquisition. Essentially, temporally high resolved resistance measurements are used to keep track of the covered distance across time, as applied here to the tracing of various mazes. In this way, the current setup adds the close monitoring of continuous tracing movements to the spectrum of behavioral data which can be successfully obtained in an fMRI setting.