Abstract
Compared to most other forms of visually-guided motor activity, drawing is unique in that it “leaves a trail behind” in the form of the emanating image. We took advantage of an MRI-compatible drawing tablet in order to examine both the motor production and perceptual emanation of images. Subjects participated in a series of mark making tasks in which they were cued to draw geometric patterns on the tablet's surface. The critical comparison was between when visual feedback was displayed (image generation) versus when it was not (no image generation). This contrast revealed an occipito-parietal stream involved in motion-based perception of the emerging image, including areas V5/MT+, LO, V3A, and the posterior part of the intraparietal sulcus. Interestingly, when subjects passively viewed animations of visual patterns emerging on the projected surface, all of the sensorimotor network involved in drawing was strongly activated, with the exception of the primary motor cortex. These results argue that the origin of the human capacity to draw and write involves not only motor skills for tool use but also motor-sensory links between drawing movements and the visual images that emanate from them in real time.
Highlights
Images refer to visual patterns created on surfaces, generally on flat surfaces and on threedimensional objects
No activity was detected in another well-studied motionperception area, the posterior superior temporal sulcus, which is more associated with the perception of body motion
Parietal activations were found in the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), intraparietal sulcus (IPS) bilaterally, and in the superior parietal lobule (SPL) in the left hemisphere (BA 7), directly posterior to the sensorimotor cortex
Summary
Images refer to visual patterns created on surfaces, generally on flat surfaces (such as canvases or cave walls) and on threedimensional objects (such as human bodies or ceramic vases) This includes the products of both drawing and writing as well as a third category of images that Elkins [1] refers to as ‘‘notation’’, including musical notation, mathematical formulas, and a host of other images that are categorized as neither pictures (drawing) nor words (writing). From a motor-control perspective, drawing can be thought of as being similar to most other forms of visuo-manual activity, including the ones that neuroscientists typically study, such as reaching, grasping, object manipulation, pointing, and gesturing [2]. It involves visual guidance of hand movement towards a target though hand/eye coordination. Drawing is similar to other forms of manual activity in that it is a dynamic sensorimotor process
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
