Functional neuroanatomy of mirroring during a unimanual force generation task

B. Sehm, Monica A Perez, B. Xu, J. Hidler, L. G. Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Performance of a unimanual motor task often induces involuntary mirror electromyographic (EMG) activity in the opposite, resting hand. In spite of the ubiquitous presence of mirroring, little is known regarding the underlying cortical contributions. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study brain regions activated in association with parametric increases in right isometric wrist flexion force (10%, 20%, 30%, and 70%) in 12 healthy volunteers. During scanning, EMG activity was recorded bilaterally from flexor carpi radialis (FCR), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), biceps brachii (BB), and triceps brachii (TB). Mirror EMG was observed in left FCR during 20%, 30%, and 70% of force. Left ECR, BB, and TB showed mirror EMG only at 70% of force. Increasing force was associated with a linear increase of blood-oxygen-level- dependent (BOLD) signal in bilateral primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), caudal cingulate, and cerebellum. Mirroring in the left FCR correlated with activity in bilateral M1, SMA, and the cerebellum. Overall, our results suggest that activity in these regions might reflect sensorimotor processes operating in association with mirroring and suggest caution when interpreting fMRI activity in studies that involve unilateral force generation tasks in the absence of simultaneous bilateral EMG/kinematics measurements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)34-45
Number of pages12
JournalCerebral Cortex
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2010

Funding

Intramural Research Program of the NIH, NINDS; Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Foundation (to Bernhard Sehm).

Keywords

  • Caudal cingulate
  • FMRI
  • Mirror EMG
  • Primary motor cortex
  • Supplementary motor area

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

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