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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface in Rehabilitation of Upper Limb Motor Dysfunction After Stroke
Published on: September 1, 2023
Functional overlap between hand and forearm motor cortical representations during motor cognitive tasks
Barbara Marconi1, Cristiano Pecchioli, Giacomo Koch
1European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Foundation Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00143 Rome, Italy. b.marconi@hsantalucia.it
Summary
Motor imagery and movement observation do not alter individual muscle cortical responses but reveal extensive overlaps in hand and forearm muscle maps. This suggests flexible cortical organization is key for motor learning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Neuroplasticity
Background:
- Motor imagery (MI) and movement observation (MO) are cognitive tasks engaging motor cortical areas.
- Understanding their effect on cortical representations is crucial for motor rehabilitation and learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if MI and MO enhance cortical representations of non-task-specific hand/forearm muscles.
- To explore functional overlaps in upper-limb cortical representations during MI and MO.
Main Methods:
- Focal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was employed to map cortical representations.
- Mapping focused on the opponens pollicis (OP) and synergistic/non-synergistic hand and forearm muscles.
- Cortical mapping was performed at rest, during MI, and during MO.
Main Results:
- MI and MO induced comparable changes in the cortical area and volume of the OP and synergic muscles.
- No significant changes in cortical excitability were found in non-synergistic muscles.
- Superimposition of muscle maps demonstrated extensive functional overlaps within hand/forearm cortical territories.
Conclusions:
- Neither MI nor MO modifies single muscle motor responses.
- Cortical maps of hand/forearm muscles extensively overlap during motor cognitive tasks.
- The findings support a flexible cortical organization, not limited to single muscle activation, with implications for motor learning and plasticity.
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