Cited by 166Free Will and AgencyMotor Control and AdaptationNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

The “What” and “When” of Self-Initiated Movements

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Hoffstaedter, Felix, Grefkes, Christian, Zilles, Karl, Eickhoff, Simon B.·2013·Cerebral Cortex

Abstract

The ability to generate intentional behavior is undeniably at the core of what makes us acting subjects. Intentional actions consist of at least 2 components (Brass M, Haggard P. 2008. The what, when, whether model of intentional action. Neuroscientist. 14:319-325.): choosing an appropriate behavior (what) and selecting the moment of execution (when). The aim of this study was to identify differing and overlapping neural networks underlying the "what" and "when" of intentional movement initiation. While scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging, 35 healthy subjects performed self-initiated and reactive, that is, internally and externally triggered movements of the right or left index finger in 3 experimental conditions: 1) "Free Choice" (free timing: when/choice of hand: what), 2) "Timed Choice" (external timing/choice of hand: what), and 3) "No Choice" (external timing/cued hand). The what-component specifically employed the presupplementary motor area (SMA) and dorsal premotor cortex bilaterally. The when-network consisted of superior SMA together with insula and Area 44 bilaterally as well as bilateral anterior putamen, globus pallidus, and left cerebellum subcortically. These 2 components recruited different networks, pointing to a partially distinct neuronal realization of the relating functions. Finally, the more intentional components were involved, the higher was activity in the anterior midcingulate cortex, which highlighted its role in intentional initiation of behavior.

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  1. Cunnington R. The supplementary motor area and the preparation and control of voluntary movement: studies of high-field event-related fMRI. Aust J Psychol. 2005;57:22–23. [Google Scholar]
  2. Kornhuber HH, Deecke L. Hirnpotentialveränderungen bei Willkürbewegungen und passiven Bewegungen des Menschen: Bereitschaftspotential und reafferente Potentiale. Pflugers Arch. 1965;284:1–17. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Hoffstaedter, F., Grefkes, C., Zilles, K., & Eickhoff, S. B.
Affiliations
Forschungszentrum Jülich (DE)
Venue
Cerebral Cortex
Published
2012-03-13
Volume
23
Issue
3
Pages
520-530
ISSN
  • 1047-3211 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2199
OpenAlex
W2100257896
Cited by
166
References
109
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 6
FWCI
7.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cerebral Cortex (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
  • RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen) (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH074457)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Free Will and Agency
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
intentional action, movement initiation, pre-supplementary motor area, dorsal premotor cortex, anterior midcingulate cortex, insula, anterior putamen, globus pallidus, cerebellum, freedom of choice, artificial neural networks
MeSH terms
Adult, Brain, Brain Mapping, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Movement, Psychomotor Performance, Young Adult

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