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Coordination of multiple joints increases bilateral connectivity with ipsilateral sensorimotor cortices
1Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, 645 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1100, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience, Northwestern University, 320 E. Superior St, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Neuroimage
|November 16, 2019
Summary
Coordinating multiple joints during movement preparation increases communication with the ipsilateral hemisphere. This brain activity is crucial for complex motor tasks involving both proximal and distal limb coordination.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Motor preparation typically involves contralateral motor cortices for simple hand movements.
- Complex finger tasks recruit ipsilateral resources for temporal coordination.
- The role of ipsilateral involvement in proximal-distal joint coordination is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if coordinating proximal and distal joints increases ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex coupling during motor preparation.
- To compare brain activity during simple hand opening versus combined hand opening and shoulder lifting.
Main Methods:
- High-density electroencephalography (EEG) in 12 healthy individuals.
- Dynamic causal modeling to quantify cortical coupling (within- and cross-frequency).
- Tasks included isolated hand opening and simultaneous hand opening with shoulder lifting via robotic device.
Main Results:
- Both tasks showed contralateral and ipsilateral primary motor cortex coupling in the beta band.
- Complex tasks increased ipsilateral cross-frequency coupling (theta, beta, gamma).
- Interhemispheric coupling between motor and premotor cortices changed frequency in complex tasks.
Conclusions:
- Increased joint coordination demand enhances ipsilateral hemisphere communication.
- Findings align with previous observations in distal sequential finger tasks.
- Ipsilateral recruitment is vital for coordinating proximal and distal joint movements.
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