Primary Sensorimotor Areas Research Articles

Diminished regional cerebral blood flow response to vibration in patients with blepharospasm.

To determine whether patients with blepharospasm have abnormal sensorimotor processing similar to patients with writer's cramp. Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia manifest by involuntary, excessive blinking and squeezing of the eyes. Altered sensorimotor processing may contribute to the development of dystonic movements. Previously the authors demonstrated decreased vibration-induced cortical blood flow responses in hand primary sensorimotor area (PSA) in patients with hand dystonia. In this prospective, case-control study, seven patients with blepharospasm were compared with seven normal subjects. PET measurements of regional blood flow were obtained using bolus administration of H(2)15O at rest or during sequential vibration of either the left or the right hand or side of the mouth. PSA activation decreased significantly in the patients with blepharospasm both ipsilateral (-68%; p = 0.0004) and contralateral to the side of facial stimulation (-56%; p = 0.0009). Patients had a 31% lower mean contralateral PSA response to hand vibration and a 51% smaller right supplementary motor area response to left-hand vibration than normal subjects, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Patients with blepharospasm have abnormal sensorimotor processing in response to lower face vibration. They may also have abnormal brain responses to stimulation of clinically uninvolved parts of the body, but this requires confirmation.

Cortical control of complex sequential movement studied by functional neuroimaging techniques

Recent advances in functional neuroimaging techniques permit non‐invasive visualization of the human brain functions. In the central mechanism for controlling complex sequential movement, several candidate brain regions have been suggested to participate in a different way by the previous studies. The motor executive areas including the bilateral primary sensorimotor area and supplementary motor area, appear to play an executive role in running motor sequences, regardless of their length, and increase their activity associated with implicit or procedural learning of motor sequence. In contrast, the fronto‐parietal network including the bilateral premotor, prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices appears to be related to the length of sequence performed and increases its activity associated with explicit or declarative learning of motor sequence. Although these techniques provide useful information on human physiology and pathophysiology in various brain functions, in order to explore functional relevance of findings it is important to combine functional neuroimaging studies with other modalities of physiological techniques.

Event-Related Potentials Elicited by Passive Movements in Humans: Characterization, Source Analysis, and Comparison to fMRI

Cortical areas responsive to proprioceptive stimulation were assessed by ERP technique in normals and in selected patients with stroke and were compared to fMRI data. Repetitive extension of right and left forefinger elicited a P1/N1/P2 complex wave pattern. This pattern was absent in patient with complete sensory loss and present but spatially modified in patient with recovered sensory deficit. Source localization with a simple model showed three sources starting in the contralateral rolandic area (SI), then involving the inferior parietal lobe unilaterally and the supplementary motor area (10 to 134 ms). It was followed by a bilaterally distributed pattern of two sources located in the ipsilateral parietal region and in the contralateral insula. Right and left stimulation led to very symmetrical patterns. Comparison to fMRI obtained from passive extension of the wrist in normals showed very compatible data. We described in this paper, a sequential processing of proprioceptive inputs after passive movements involving primary and secondary sensory motor areas.

Hemispheric control of motor function: a whole brain echo planar fMRI study

The aim of this study was to explore whether recruitment of the ipsilateral motor cortex during non-dominant motor movement reflects left hemispheric control of motor function or simply the greater complexity or unfamiliarity of the motor task. BOLD fMRI was performed in normal right-handers during two motor tasks: (1) sequential finger movements (SM task) with the right or left hand; and (2) random finger movements (RM task) with the right hand. In all subjects, activation was predominantly in the contralateral motor areas (primary sensorimotor, lateral premotor, parietal and supplementary motor regions) and ipsilateral cerebellum. While the ipsilateral motor areas were also activated, single subject analysis revealed these areas to be more extensive and to be seen in more subjects during the non-dominant hand SM task and dominant hand RM task than during the more familiar dominant hand SM task. Similarly, group analysis also revealed ipsilateral activation in the primary sensorimotor and lateral premotor areas, but only during the non-dominant SM task and the dominant hand RM task. Non-dominant hand movements, perhaps because they are less `automatic', appear to require more cortical activity similar to complex tasks with the dominant hand, and result in greater recruitment of ipsilateral cortical motor areas and striatum. The study also illustrates how potentially meaningful subtleties seen on individual maps may be obscured with group averaging approaches.

Neural networks for Braille reading by the blind.

To explore the neural networks used for Braille reading, we measured regional cerebral blood flow with PET during tactile tasks performed both by Braille readers blinded early in life and by sighted subjects. Eight proficient Braille readers were studied during Braille reading with both right and left index fingers. Eight-character, non-contracted Braille-letter strings were used, and subjects were asked to discriminate between words and non-words. To compare the behaviour of the brain of the blind and the sighted directly, non-Braille tactile tasks were performed by six different blind subjects and 10 sighted control subjects using the right index finger. The tasks included a non-discrimination task and three discrimination tasks (angle, width and character). Irrespective of reading finger (right or left), Braille reading by the blind activated the inferior parietal lobule, primary visual cortex, superior occipital gyri, fusiform gyri, ventral premotor area, superior parietal lobule, cerebellum and primary sensorimotor area bilaterally, also the right dorsal premotor cortex, right middle occipital gyrus and right prefrontal area. During non-Braille discrimination tasks, in blind subjects, the ventral occipital regions, including the primary visual cortex and fusiform gyri bilaterally were activated while the secondary somatosensory area was deactivated. The reverse pattern was found in sighted subjects where the secondary somatosensory area was activated while the ventral occipital regions were suppressed. These findings suggest that the tactile processing pathways usually linked in the secondary somatosensory area are rerouted in blind subjects to the ventral occipital cortical regions originally reserved for visual shape discrimination.

Dynamic functional coupling of high resolution EEG potentials related to unilateral internally triggered one-digit movements

Between-electrode cross-covariances of delta (0–3 Hz)- and theta (4–7 Hz)-filtered high resolution EEG potentials related to preparation, initiation, and execution of human unilateral internally triggered one-digit movements were computed to investigate statistical dynamic coupling between these potentials. Significant ( P<0.05, Bonferroni-corrected) cross-covariances were calculated between electrodes of lateral and median scalp regions. For both delta- and theta-bandpassed potentials, covariance modeling indicated a shifting functional coupling between contralateral and ipsilateral frontal-central-parietal scalp regions and between these two regions and the median frontal-central scalp region from the preparation to the execution of the movement ( P<0.05). A maximum inward functional coupling of the contralateral with the ipsilateral frontal-central-parietal scalp region was modeled during the preparation and initiation of the movement, and a maximum outward functional coupling during the movement execution. Furthermore, for theta-bandpassed potentials, rapidly oscillating inward and outward relationships were modeled between the contralateral frontal-central-parietal scalp region and the median frontal-central scalp region across the preparation, initiation, and execution of the movement. We speculate that these cross-covariance relationships might reflect an oscillating dynamic functional coupling of primary sensorimotor and supplementary motor areas during the planning, starting, and performance of unilateral movement. The involvement of these cortical areas is supported by the observation that averaged spatially enhanced delta- and theta-bandpassed potentials were computed from the scalp regions where task-related electrical activation of primary sensorimotor areas and supplementary motor area was roughly represented.

Influence of chronic administration of l-DOPA on event-related desynchronization of mu rhythm preceding voluntary movement in Parkinson's disease

The spatiotemporal pattern of event-related desynchronization (ERD) during the motor preparation period preceding a self-paced voluntary wrist-flexion was compared in two groups of 10 right and 10 left hemiparkinsonian patients, before and after chronic administration of l-DOPA. ERD was computed in the 9–11 Hz frequency band from 11 source derivations covering the medial frontocentral, central and parietocentral areas, during two successive left and right experimental conditions (100 self-paced wrist flexions). In the two groups ERD appeared with a shorter latency over the contralateral primary sensorimotor area, when the movements were performed with the akinetic hand. After l-DOPA administration, earlier ERD onset before the movement was observed in both groups over the contralateral and ipsilateral central and parietocentral areas. A medial frontocentral ERD distribution was also observed before the onset of movement, especially in the right hemiparkinsonian group. Delayed ERD onset, which shows that programming of movement is affected in Parkinson's disease, may be partially corrected by l-DOPA therapy.

Motor imagery activates primary sensorimotor area in humans

The spatiotemporal patterns of Rolandic mu and beta rhythms were studied during motor imagery with a dense array of EEG electrodes. The subjects were instructed to imagine movements of either the right or the left hand, corresponding to visual stimuli on a computer screen. It was found that unilateral motor imagery results in a short-lasting and localized EEG change over the primary sensorimotor area. The Rolandic rhythms displayed an event-related desynchronization (ERD) only over the contralateral hemisphere. In two of the three investigated subjects, an enhanced Rolandic rhythm was found over the ipsilateral side. The pattern of EEG desynchronization related to imagination of a movement was similar to the pattern during planing of a voluntary movement.

Somatosensory evoked magnetic fields from primary sensorimotor cortex in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

The present study evaluated neurophysiologic function of the primary sensorimotor cortex in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. A 122-channel magnetometer, which allowed studies of the somatosensory system in millimeter and millisecond precision, was used to record somatosensory evoked magnetic fields to median nerve stimulation from 10 patients and their matched control subjects. In both patients and controls, the somatosensory evoked magnetic fields from primary sensorimotor area typically consisted of N20m, P35m, and P60m deflections. In the patients, N20m was significantly delayed, whereas P35m peaked earlier than in the control subjects. The source strengths for N20m and P35m were greater in the patients than in the controls. Both deflections showed a significant positive correlation with the disease duration: the sources were stronger in the older patients than in the younger ones. P60m deflections were normal or reduced in the patients. The results indicated increased thalamocortical excitability in the sensorimotor cortex in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Responses of human primary sensorimotor and supplementary motor areas to internally-triggered unilateral and simultaneous bilateral one-digit movements. A high resolution EEG study

Responses of human primary sensorimotor and supplementary motor areas to internally-triggered unilateral and simultaneous bilateral one-digit movements. A high resolution EEG study

Foot and hand area mu rhythms

Spontaneous EEG can display spatio–temporal patterns of desynchronized or synchronized alpha band activity. Event-related desynchronization (ERD) of rhythms within alpha and lower beta bands is characteristic of activated cortical areas ready to process information or to prepare a movement, while event-related synchronization (ERS) in the same frequency bands can be seen as an electrophysiological correlate of resting or idling cortical areas. EEG was investigated over primary sensorimotor and premotor areas during discrete hand and foot movements. ERD was found over the primary hand area during finger movement and over the primary foot area during toe movement. The former was observed in every subject, the latter was more difficult to find. From these results it can be speculated that each primary sensorimotor area has its own intrinsic rhythm, which becomes desynchronized when the corresponding area is activated. ERS, in the form of an enhanced mu rhythm on electrodes overlying the primary hand area, was observed not only during visual processing but also during foot movement. In both cases, the hand area is not needed to perform a task and, therefore, can be considered to be in an idling state. The supplementary motor area (SMA) also plays an important role in preparation and planning of movement. It is demonstrated that this area also displays rhythmic activity within the alpha band, that is both linearly and non-linearly phase coupled to the intrinsic (mu) rhythm of the primary hand area. With planning and preparation of movement, this SMA rhythm is desynchronized and also the degree of coupling between the two areas decreases. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Brain functional activity during gait in normal subjects: a SPECT study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in brain activity during voluntary walking in normal subjects using technetium-99m-hexamethyl-propyleneamine oxime single photon emission computed tomography. This study included 14 normal subjects. Statistical parametric mapping analysis revealed that the supplementary motor area, medial primary sensorimotor area, the striatum, the cerebellar vermis and the visual cortex were activated. These results suggested that the cerebral cortices controlling motor functions, visual cortex, basal ganglia and the cerebellum might be involved in the bipedal locomotor activities in humans.

Effect of mastication on regional cerebral blood flow in humans examined by positron-emission tomography with 15O-labelled water and magnetic resonance imaging

The interaction between mastication and cerebral blood flow was studied in 12 healthy volunteers (five males and seven females) aged 18–40 years. Positron-emission tomography (PET)-autoradiography was carried out after bolus injection of 1.5 GBq H 2 15O ( 15O-labelled water) with a half life of 2 min. The PET images were superimposed on magnetic resonance images of each participant. The regional cerebral blood flow images were normalized by the global cerebral blood flow value, and subtraction images (those during gum-chewing minus those during resting) were created and recut at the magnetic resonance image slice positions. Gum specially designed for chewing training was used. Mastication increased regional cerebral blood flow in the primary sensorimotor areas by 25–28%, in the supplementary motor areas and insulae by 9–17%, and in the cerebellum and striatum by 8–11%. These increases demonstrate that chewing activates widespread regions of the brain.

Monkey postcentral neurons coding self image in the video screen

The process and location of integration of information from different sensory modalities remains controversial. We used functional MRI to investigate the neural representation of cross-modal matching between tactile and visual shape information in eleven normal volunteers. During the scan, patterns of 2D shapes were presented both tactually and visually, simultaneously. Four different matching tasks were performed: tactile–tactile with eyes closed (TT), tactile–tactile with visual input (TTv), visual–visual with tactile input (VVt), and tactile–visual (TV). The TT task activated the contralateral primary sensorimotor area, and the postcentral gyrus, superior parietal lobules, anterior portion of the intraparietal sulcus, secondary somatosensory cortex, thalamus, dorsal premotor area, cerebellum, and supplementary motor area bilaterally, without occipital involvement. Visual matching activated the primary visual cortex and the lingual and fusiform gyri bilaterally. A cross-modal area was identified by subtracting TTv images from TV images, subtracting VVt images from TV images, and then determining common active areas. There was one discrete area that was active bilaterally; the posterior intraparietal sulcus close to the parieto-occipital sulcus. These data suggest that shape information from different sensory modalities may be integrated in the posterior intraparietal sulcus during tactile–visual matching tasks.

Mapping of the primary sensori-motor area: Anatomical, functional and resective outcome study

Mapping of the primary sensori-motor area: Anatomical, functional and resective outcome study

Complexity affects regional cerebral blood flow change during sequential finger movements

Brain regions activated with complex sequential finger movements were localized by measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with positron emission tomography. Whereas the total number and frequency of finger movements were kept constant, the complexity of auditory cued sequential finger movements of the right hand varied, with sequence length as the independent variable. In four conditions of differing complexity, the bilateral primary sensorimotor area, left ventral premotor cortex, posterior supplementary motor area, right superior part of the cerebellum, and left putamen were consistently and equally activated. This finding suggests an executive role in running sequences, regardless of their length. The right dorsal premotor cortex (Brodmann area 6) and the right precuneus (Brodmann area 7) showed a linear increase of rCBF as sequence complexity increased. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that these areas function in the storage of motor sequences in spatial working memory and the production of ongoing sequential movement with reference to that of buffered memory. A similar increase in the cerebellar vermis and the left thalamus likewise suggests a role of these subcortical structures in complexity of sequential finger movements. Conversely, the left inferior parietal lobule showed a decrease of rCBF as complexity increased. Because short-term phonological storage is localized to this area, we suggest that the visuospatial working memory system may suppress other systems not in use. Our findings suggest that complex sequential finger movements recruit a discrete set of brain areas, in addition to areas underlying the execution of simple movement sequences.

Scalp topography of SEP late components in patients with supra-tentorial lesions.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) to simultaneous bilateral median nerve stimulation were recorded in 7 patients with unilateral brain lesions, 8 patients with degenerative dementia, and 5 normal volunteers. Right-left amplitude difference was compared from serial topographic images and the amplitude was compared at homologous electrodes. In patients with unilateral lesions, the amplitude from the frontopolar, frontal, anterior-temporal, and/or occipital electrodes was smaller on the affected side at 240 and 360 msec, regardless of whether the subjects showed sensory deficit or not. No significant laterality was seen in the primary sensorimotor areas. Distribution obtained from the patients with degenerative dementia was quite symmetrical. A significant right-left amplitude difference was seen at the anterior temporal site at 180 and 240 msec in normal controls, although an almost symmetrical distribution was obtained on the topographic images. The late components of SEP are not associated with the primary somatosensory function, but possibly with other cortical pathways.

Movement related desynchronisation pattern preceding voluntary movement in untreated Parkinson's disease.

To study planning of movement in Parkinson's disease. The spatiotemporal pattern of movement related desynchronisation (MRD) preceding a self paced voluntary wrist flexion was compared between two groups of 10 untreated right and left hemiparkinsonian patients receiving no treatment and 10 control subjects. The MRD was computed in the 9 to 11 Hz frequency band from 11 source derivations covering the frontocentral, central, and parietocentral areas, during two successive left and right experimental conditions. In the two patient groups the desynchronisation appeared over the primary sensorimotor area contralateral to the affected side with a shorter latency (750 ms before movement onset for the right hemiparkinsonian group and 875 ms for the left hemiparkinsonian group) than in the control group (1750 ms), only when the movements were performed with the akinetic hand. For the non-affected hand, the same latency as in the control group was noted (1750 ms). The delay of appearance of MRD in Parkinson's disease confirmed that the programming of movement is affected, thus partially explaining akinesia.

Movement-related potentials associated with bilateral simultaneous and unilateral movements recorded from human supplementary motor area

To clarity the differences of movement-related potentials (MRPs) among ipsilateral, contralateral and simultaneous bilateral movements, MRPs with finger, thumb or foot movements were recorded from subdural electrodes chronically implanted on the supplementary motor area (SMA) in 3 patients, and also from the primary sensorimotor area in two of them being evaluated for epilepsy surgery. As a result: (1) SMA generated clear pre-movement potentials regardless of the type of movement. Its amplitude was almost identical between contralateral and bilateral movements except for the motor potential (MP). The pre-movement potentials associated with ipsilateral movements were relatively smaller than those with contralateral or bilateral movements. (2) The primary sensorimotor area generated clear pre-movement potentials in contralateral and bilateral movements with similar amplitude. With ipsilateral hand movements, however, only a small Bereitschaftspotential (BP) and no negative slope (NS′) or MP was seen, and ipsilateral foot movements were not preceded by any BP. It is, therefore, most likely that, as far as the preparation for simple voluntary self-paced movement is concerned, the SMA plays an equally important role in unilateral and bilateral movements, whereas the primary sensorimotor area is involved predominantly in the preparation of contralateral movements.

Regional cerebral blood flow changes in motor cortical areas after transient anesthesia of the forearm.

To study the effect of deafferentation on cortical areas activated by movement of the proximal muscles, we measured regional cerebral blood flow with positron emission tomography and 15O-labeled water. Flexion-extension movements of the right elbow before deafferentation were associated with an increase of regional cerebral blood flow in the primary sensorimotor area bilaterally, posterior supplementary motor area bilaterally, ipsilateral cerebellum, contralateral putamen, premotor area, anterior cingulate area, and posterior parietal region. Transient anesthesia of the right forearm induced by ischemic block caused an increase of regional cerebral blood flow in the primary sensorimotor area bilaterally at rest, but there was no change of regional cerebral blood flow with movement, indicating that the movement-related change in cerebral blood flow was reduced. These findings are consistent with increased excitability of neurons as a result of deafferentation. In the supplementary motor area, anesthesia did not induce any change in regional cerebral blood flow at rest, but there was a decline with movement, again indicating a reduction of the change in cerebral blood flow related to movement. This might be due to a reduction in sensory feedback because of the anesthesia.