Understanding cortical networks involved in the preparation of voluntary movement using simultaneous EEG-fMRI

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Understanding cortical networks involved in the preparation of voluntary movement using simultaneous EEG-fMRI Vinh T. Nguyen1*, Michael Breakspear2, 3, 4, 5 and Ross Cunnington1, 6 1 The University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute, Australia 2 Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Australia 3 University of New South Wales, School of Psychiatry, Australia 4 The Black Dog Institute, Australia 5 The Royal Brisbane and Womans Hospital, Australia 6 The University of Queensland, School of Psychology, Australia Background The cortical correlates of voluntary actions precede movement by at least 1-2 seconds. This sustained activity is reflected in the widely studied readiness potential (RP), which provides insight into the brain processes underlying the preparation of actions. Key contributing regions have been identified, including the middle cingulate cortex (MCC) and the supplementary motor area (SMA), but the relationship of activity within and between these regions to the RP is not understood. We sought to examine this relationship by integrating simultaneously acquired EEG and fMRI through computational modelling. Method We acquired simultaneous EEG and fMRI data from 20 healthy participants as they performed a simple task of voluntary, self-paced finger movements made every 10–15 seconds. We applied an EEG-informed fMRI analysis to examine trial-by-trial correlation between BOLD signals and neural responses reflected in the RP and global field power (GFP) activity preceding movements. We then used dynamic causal modelling (DCM) to examine interactions between the network of SMA and MCC during the preparation and performance of actions. DCM models were therefore informed by movement events as well as contextual modulators derived from EEG activity. The latter accounts for the correlation shown by the EEG-informed fMRI analysis. Bayesian model selection with a random-effects analysis was employed to select the most likely model of cortical interactions for our data. Results and Discussion The EEG-informed fMRI analysis revealed a positive correlation between GFP over the period from 750 ms to 400 ms prior to movement and BOLD responses in MCC. Specifically, trials in which neural activity in the GFP was greater over this premovement period also involved greater activation of the MCC. The best fitting model to infer the interactions between MCC and SMA comprised the GFP regulating the self-feedback connection of MCC to itself, and MCC activity regulating the self-feedback connection of SMA. This result suggests that the MCC modulates its own activity, and this modulation is strongest on trials with greater premovement GFP activity. Together, our study suggests that the internal modulation of MCC is essential to sustain premovement activity over time, and drives SMA activity in preparation for actions. Keywords: voluntary movements, simultaneous EEG-fMRI, multimodal neuroimaging, readiness potential, dynamic causal modeling, middle cingulate cortex Conference: ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia, 28 Nov - 1 Dec, 2013. Presentation Type: Oral Topic: Motor Citation: Nguyen VT, Breakspear M and Cunnington R (2013). Understanding cortical networks involved in the preparation of voluntary movement using simultaneous EEG-fMRI. Conference Abstract: ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2013.212.00183 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 15 Oct 2013; Published Online: 25 Nov 2013. * Correspondence: Mr. Vinh T Nguyen, The University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, vinh.nguyen@uq.edu.au Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Vinh T Nguyen Michael Breakspear Ross Cunnington Google Vinh T Nguyen Michael Breakspear Ross Cunnington Google Scholar Vinh T Nguyen Michael Breakspear Ross Cunnington PubMed Vinh T Nguyen Michael Breakspear Ross Cunnington Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.