Does motor imagery share neural networks with executed movement: a multivariate fMRI analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Motor Control

Background:

• Motor imagery (MI) involves mentally rehearsing actions.
• MI is a potential tool for motor network access and rehabilitation after stroke.
• Previous studies suggest MI and executed movement (EM) activate similar brain areas, but network overlap is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if motor imagery and executed movement share common cortical networks.
• To map neural networks involved in MI and EM using advanced analytical techniques.

Main Methods:

• Used tensor independent component analysis (TICA), a multivariate method, to analyze fMRI data.
• Fifteen healthy volunteers performed both MI and EM tasks involving right-hand finger-thumb opposition.
• TICA identified independent components (ICs) common or distinct to both tasks without prior assumptions.

Main Results:

• TICA identified 7 relevant ICs out of 52 initial components.
• Shared networks between MI and EM included contralateral BA4, dorsal premotor cortex (PMd), parietal areas, and supplementary motor area (SMA).
• EM-exclusive networks involved contralateral BA4, primary somatosensory cortex (S1), and ipsilateral cerebellum; MI-exclusive networks involved ipsilateral BA4 and PMd.

Conclusions:

• Motor imagery and executed movement share significant cortical networks, confirming their relationship.
• This shared network activity strengthens the rationale for using MI in motor rehabilitation and training.
• Distinct networks for each task highlight important differences between MI and EM.