Parallel alterations of functional connectivity during execution and imagination after motor imagery learning

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Motor Control

Background:

• Neuroimaging studies have identified key brain regions involved in motor learning.
• Previous research shows parallel changes in brain activation during motor imagery (MI) and execution (ME) post-learning.
• Functional connectivity alterations in motor learning, particularly with MI, remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if motor imagery (MI) and motor execution (ME) exhibit parallel changes in functional connectivity after MI learning.
• To explore the neural substrates underlying motor imagery learning using functional connectivity analysis.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from participants undergoing 14 days of MI learning were analyzed.
• Graph theory analysis was applied to assess functional connectivity, specifically connectivity degree and interregional connectivity.
• A control group with no learning was included for comparison.

Main Results:

• A decrease in connectivity degree of the right posterior parietal lobe was observed in both MI and ME tasks post-MI learning.
• Parallel alterations in interregional connectivity involving the right posterior parietal lobe and the supplementary motor area were found for both tasks.
• These changes were specific to the experimental group that underwent MI learning.

Conclusions:

• Motor schema establishment via MI learning may lead to reduced connectivity degree in the posterior parietal lobe.
• Decreased interregional connectivity suggests a dissociation between motor learning processes and task performance.
• Findings highlight the neural underpinnings of MI learning and its potential for motor rehabilitation and skill acquisition.