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Related Experiment Video

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An Experiment Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Robot-Assisted Multi-Joint Pointing Movements of the Lower Limb

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Putamen coactivation during motor task execution.

William R Marchand¹, James N Lee, John W Thatcher

¹Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 19 MIRECC, Salt Lake City, Utah 84148, USA. william.marchand@va.gov

|June 4, 2008

Summary

The corticostriatal motor circuitry involves both brain hemispheres. Functional connectivity analysis reveals integrated circuits, suggesting current models need updates.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Motor Control
Brain Imaging

Background:

Corticostriatal motor circuitry models traditionally focus on the dominant hemisphere controlling movement.
The role of the non-dominant hemisphere in motor control remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the functional connectivity of corticostriatal circuits in both controlling and noncontrolling hemispheres during unilateral motor tasks.
To determine if motor control involves integrated bilateral corticostriatal pathways.

Main Methods:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to measure brain activity.
Functional connectivity analyses were performed to assess coactivation patterns within corticostriatal circuits.

Main Results:

The putamen in both hemispheres showed strong coactivation with motor cortex structures during unilateral movements.
The putamen in the noncontrolling hemisphere exhibited stronger coactivation with the contralateral (controlling) motor cortex than the ipsilateral cortex.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that corticostriatal circuits are functionally integrated across both hemispheres.
Existing models of motor circuitry may require revision to incorporate bilateral functional integration based on connectivity data.