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Changes in Cerebral Hemodynamics during Complex Motor Learning by Character Entry into Touch-Screen Terminals.
Akira Sagari1, Naoki Iso2, Takefumi Moriuchi2
1Unit of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan; Japanese Red Cross Society Nagasaki Genbaku Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan.
Plos One
|October 21, 2015
Summary
This study shows that motor learning involves increased activity in the left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and decreased activity in the right prefrontal cortex (PFC) and supplementary motor area (SMA) as skills improve.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Limited neuroimaging studies exist on motor learning and cognitive processes.
- Previous research focused on neurorehabilitation interventions for motor learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebral hemodynamics during motor skill acquisition.
- To explore the relationship between brain activity and learning complex motor tasks.
Main Methods:
- Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measured cerebral hemodynamics in 20 healthy subjects.
- Participants learned to enter Japanese syllabary characters on a touch-screen terminal.
- Performance and oxygenated hemoglobin changes were analyzed across task cycles.
Main Results:
- Motor skill acquisition was confirmed by performance improvements over task cycles.
- Positive correlation observed between task cycle and left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) activation.
- Negative correlations found between task cycle and right prefrontal cortex (PFC) and supplementary motor area (SMA) activation.
Conclusions:
- Left SMC activity reflects increased finger momentum during motor learning.
- Right PFC and SMA activation decreases as motor learning progresses, suggesting a role in initial learning phases.
