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Task-Modulated Corticocortical Synchrony in the Cognitive-Motor Network Supporting Handwriting
Timo Saarinen1,2, Jan Kujala1,3, Hannu Laaksonen1,2
1Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 AALTO, Espoo, Finland.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|November 1, 2019
Summary
Brain network synchrony changes during handwriting tasks reveal how cognitive-motor sequences are produced. Specific patterns of neural communication support different handwriting variations and working memory demands.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Motor Control
Background:
- Motor and cognitive behaviors rely on precisely timed neural activity within large-scale brain networks.
- Understanding the dynamic interplay between cortical regions is crucial for deciphering complex behaviors like handwriting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synchronous interplay between cortical regions during the production of cognitive-motor sequences in humans.
- To examine how variations in motor variability, linguistic content, and movement cue memorization affect corticocortical connections.
Main Methods:
- Used data-driven magnetoencephalography (MEG) mapping in 10 human participants.
- Analyzed phase synchronization changes in corticocortical interactions across different frequency bands.
- Contrasted handwriting variants differing in motor variability, linguistic content, and memorization demands.
Main Results:
- Modulation of predominantly left-hemispheric corticocortical interactions was observed.
- Low-frequency synchrony (2-13 Hz) showed enhanced frontoparietal connections for regular handwriting.
- Beta-to-gamma band synchrony (13-45 Hz) revealed increased connections in sensorimotor, supplementary motor, and frontoparietal regions during regular handwriting.
Conclusions:
- Task demands dynamically modulate interregional phase synchrony in cognitive-motor sequences.
- Observed synchrony patterns highlight interactions between the pericentral hand coordination subsystem and the frontoparietal working memory subsystem.
