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Inferior Parietal Lobe Activity Reveals Bimanual Coupling and Interference
Costanza Iester1, Monica Biggio1, Sabrina Brigadoi2
1Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Human Brain Mapping
|February 28, 2025
Summary
Bimanual interference, studied using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), reveals that drawing different shapes with each hand increases sensorimotor and parietal brain activity. This highlights the neural basis of bimanual coordination challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Motor Control
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Simultaneous hand movements can lead to bimanual coupling or interference.
- The circles-lines paradigm is a common method to study these bimanual effects.
- Neural mechanisms underlying bimanual coupling and interference are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural substrates of bimanual coupling and interference using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
- To explore the role of sensorimotor and associative brain areas in bimanual tasks.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed the circles-lines paradigm, drawing congruent (same shape) or incongruent (different shapes) stimuli with both hands.
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was employed to measure brain activity.
- Behavioral performance was recorded, and temporal analysis of hemodynamic responses was conducted.
Main Results:
- Behavioral data confirmed interference effects, with shapes becoming distorted (more oval).
- Increased activity in sensorimotor and right premotor areas was observed during incongruent conditions.
- Temporal analysis showed right hemisphere activation preceding left hemisphere activation in incongruent conditions; parietal areas also showed differential activity.
Conclusions:
- Bimanual interference involves both motor and associative brain areas, including the right inferior parietal lobe.
- Right inferior parietal lobe activity correlates with bimanual performance, suggesting its role in integrating sensorimotor information between hands.
- fNIRS provides valuable insights into the neural dynamics of bimanual coordination in ecologically valid settings.
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