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Functional imaging of human right hemispheric activation for exploratory movements
D R Gitelman1, N M Alpert, S Kosslyn
1Center for Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Annals of Neurology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
This study reveals that exploratory movements of spatial attention activate a network of brain regions in the right hemisphere, including the cingulate, premotor, and parietal areas.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Spatial attention is crucial for goal-directed behavior.
- Understanding the neural basis of exploratory movements in attention is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional brain anatomy underlying the exploratory-motor aspect of spatial attention.
- To identify brain regions activated during active, exploratory movements compared to non-exploratory movements.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to measure brain activity.
- Subjects performed right-hand movements under exploratory and non-exploratory conditions.
- Movement and eye movements were controlled for across conditions.
Main Results:
- Activation was observed in the right cingulate, premotor, and posterior parietal cortex during exploratory movements.
- These activated areas were ipsilateral to the active limb and hemispace.
- The findings support a distributed network model for exploratory attentional movements.
Conclusions:
- The right hemisphere may play a dominant role in exploratory attentional movements.
- A network of right hemisphere cortical areas is involved in the functional anatomy of spatial attention.
- This research provides insights into the neural mechanisms of attention and motor control.