Prefrontal cortex activity in self-initiated movements is condition-specific, but not movement-related
Open accessAbstract
Activity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been observed in previous block-design brain imaging studies of self-initiated movements. However, the meaning of these activations remained unclear. A functional MRI experiment was carried out, which utilized an epoch and an event-related analysis approach to the data. We hypothesized that event-related activity of the PFC would argue for a contribution to movement preparation. In contrast, epoch-, but not event-related activity pointed to tonic activations, probably reflecting enhanced attentional states or working memory processing. Twenty-one subjects were examined with 845 T2*-weighted images. During active phases, subjects were instructed to perform self-initiated movements of the right index finger with intertrial intervals of about 8 s. On single subject level, epoch- and event-related regressors were entered into a combined model, estimating the exclusive contribution of either regressor. For statistical inference on multisubject level, random effects analyses were performed. For the epoch regressor, activity within the right dorso- and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, the bilateral insula, and the right inferior parietal lobe was observed. The event-related regressor detected activity within the right inferior parietal lobe, ventral from the activity found with the epoch regressor. The present results indicate a condition-, but not a movement-related function of the PFC in self-initiated movements. Furthermore, anatomically distinct regions within the inferior parietal cortex seem to be involved in condition-specific and movement-related processes. The observed condition-specific activations are suggested to reflect attentional or working memory processes, supervising task performance, rather than movement preparation or initiation.
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EEG studies have shown the insula's activation when "intentional" actions are initiated when faced with multiple external options.
“Evidence from electroencephalogram (EEG) studies (Wiese et al., 2005; Mueller et al., 2007) has shown the insula’s activation when “intentional” actions are initiated when faced with multiple external options.”
From The Insula: A Brain Stimulation Target for the Treatment of Addiction (2019) · cites this paper as Wiese et al., 2005
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- Authors
- Wiese, H., Stude, P., Nebel, K., Forsting, M., & de Greiff, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Duisburg-Essen (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Wiese, Holger
- Venue
- NeuroImage
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-11
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 691-697
- ISSN
- 1053-8119 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1971005489
- Cited by
- 23
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- Locations
- NeuroImage (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Free Will and Agency
- Keywords
- prefrontal cortex, self-initiated movement, motor preparation, inferior parietal lobule, insula, attention, working memory, finger movement
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Brain Mapping, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Evoked Potentials, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Functional Laterality, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Models, Neurological, Movement, Parietal Lobe, Prefrontal Cortex
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