Comparison of activation of motor cortex resulting from periodic changes of hands using the fMRI

Abstract

Using the Functional MRI technique, this paper focused on what functional differences of brain motor areas are shown in motion performance for voluntary motion. The activation of the brain was compared for normal experimental participants to move both hands at frequencies of 1Hz and 2Hz. The two tasks were voluntary motion tasks, but there was a difference in whether or not conscious control was done. As a result of analysis, both 1Hz and 2Hz conditions showed significant activation in both motor cortex areas (BA4, 6), basial ganglia and cerebellum. However, the 1Hz condition showed significant activation in a relatively wider range compared to the 2Hz condition, and it also showed significant activation in areas such as the anterior cingulate (BA32). As a result of ROI analysis, among the brain areas involved in motion, the putamen of basal ganglia showed greater activation under 2Hz condition than 1Hz condition while the cerebellum showed more activation under 1Hz condition than 2Hz condition. Despite difference frequencies, finger movements showed significant cerebral activation in the same or similar motor areas. In the case of finger movements requiring more relatively conscious control, the basal ganglia were more activated. Relatively easy-to-automate voluntary movement showed greater activation in the cerebellum area. It means that complex neural networks involved in motion, even voluntary motion, are performing differently depending on the conscious effort or involvement of various cognitive functions. The fact that the activation of the cingulate was greater at 1Hz indicates that conscious control was more required. The results of this study showed that even voluntary motion such as simple finger movement may vary depending on cognitive effort or control. It would contribute to treat actual motion disordersby understanding the performance of different functions.