Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
09:48
Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention
Published on: September 11, 2017
10.4K
The Cognitive Side of M1.
Barbara Tomasino1, Michele Gremese1
1IRCCS "E. Medea" San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|July 6, 2016
Summary
The primary motor cortex (M1) shows distinct activation patterns across various cognitive tasks, not just movement. Specific M1 regions, particularly Area 4a, are involved in diverse functions like working memory and language.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The primary motor cortex (M1) is traditionally linked to voluntary movement control.
- Emerging evidence suggests M1 involvement in higher cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis of a functional topography of M1 activation in cognitive tasks.
- To map M1 activation across different cognitive domains using meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- Activation-likelihood-estimation (ALE) meta-analyses were performed on neuroimaging studies.
- Studies reporting M1 activation in motor imagery, working memory, mental rotation, social/emotion/empathy, language, and auditory processing were included.
- Contrasts were selected to exclude M1 activation related to finger button presses.
Main Results:
- Six cognitive categories activated distinct sub-regions of M1, either bilaterally or unilaterally.
- The M1 sub-region Area 4a was commonly activated across four categories: motor imagery, working memory, emotion/empathy, and language.
- Identified M1 activations were unlikely due to motor responses like button presses.
Conclusions:
- Findings support a functional topography of M1 activation in higher cognitive tasks.
- The left Area 4a appears involved in multiple cognitive processes, potentially through implicit mental simulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
8.8K
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
8.8K
01:23Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
3.7K
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
3.7K
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
10.3K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
10.3K
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
5.4K
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
5.4K
01:33Somatosensation
44.8K
The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
44.8K
01:11Direct Motor Pathways
5.1K
The direct motor pathways, also known as the pyramidal tracts, are a group of neural pathways that originate in the brain and descend through the spinal cord. They control the voluntary movement of the body. There are two major direct motor pathways: the corticospinal and the corticobulbar tracts.
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and...
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and...
5.1K