Motor imagery, forward models and the cerebellum: a commentary on Rieger et al., 2023

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Psychology

Background:

• Action imagery, the mental simulation of actions, is crucial for motor planning and execution.
• The internal forward model hypothesis suggests action imagery relies on simulating motor commands and their sensory consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and discuss methods for empirically testing the internal forward model hypothesis of action imagery.
• To provide a commentary on Rieger et al. (2023) regarding the mechanisms of action imagery.

Main Methods:

• Discussing the application of functional brain imaging (e.g., fMRI, EEG) to observe neural correlates of action simulation.
• Proposing perturbation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to disrupt internal forward model function.
• Suggesting psychophysical experiments, specifically adaptation paradigms for intended reach actions, to assess behavioral effects.

Main Results:

• The commentary does not present new experimental results but outlines potential findings from proposed methods.
• Hypothetical results would support the internal forward model if brain activity, TMS perturbations, or psychophysical adaptations align with simulated action predictions.

Conclusions:

• Empirical validation of the internal forward model hypothesis for action imagery is feasible through a combination of neuroimaging, perturbation, and psychophysical approaches.
• Such research can elucidate the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying the simulation of actions in the mind.