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Spatial and effector processing in the human parietofrontal network for reaches and saccades
S M Beurze1, F P de Lange, I Toni
1Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, NL-6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|March 27, 2009
Summary
The parietofrontal network processes visuomotor control for eye and hand movements. Spatial goal information is prioritized early in movement planning, with effector specificity emerging later.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Motor Control
Background:
- Parietal and frontal cortices are crucial for visuomotor processing.
- Understanding the distinct roles of spatial and effector information in movement planning is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the processing of effector and spatial signals during movement preparation.
- To examine the interaction between spatial and effector information in the parietofrontal network.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3-T.
- Sequential-instruction paradigm with visual cues for effector (eye/hand) and spatial goal.
- Analysis of neural activity during different stages of movement preparation.
Main Results:
- Early in preparation, spatial goal selectivity was observed, but effector specificity was limited.
- Later in preparation, a significant overlap in neural circuitry for eye and hand movements emerged.
- Regions like the intraparietal sulcus and dorsal premotor cortex showed selectivity for both goal location and motor effector.
Conclusions:
- The relative importance of spatial goal and effector selectivity shifts within the parietofrontal network.
- This shift is dependent on the stage of movement planning.
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