Cortical areas and the control of self-determined finger movements: an fMRI study

We investigated cortical areas involved in the control of self-determined finger movements. In a tapping task, subjects tapped with different movement frequencies in two different movement conditions (predetermined vs self-determined). fMRI provided evidence for the involvement of the horizontal and ascending parts of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), the left superior frontal gyrus and the posterior cingulate gyrus in the control of self-determined finger movements. Higher movement frequency increased the extent of activated area only in the horizontal part of IPS. The results suggest a major role of the IPS in controlling sequences of finger movements. This area probably serves as a region for integration of motor, sensory and sensorimotor feedback information used for movement control.