Journal Article

The motor preparation of directionally incompatible movements

Spinelli, Donatella, Di Russo, Francesco, Lucci, Giuliana, Berchicci, Marika

2014

Overview

This work explores, for the first time, the electro-cortical activity related to the preparation of bimanual incompatible actions. To accomplish this aim, we recorded motor-related cortical potentials (MRCPs) in 16 healthy subjects, who were asked to draw lines and/or circles during three experimental conditions: Unimanual, Bimanually Compatible (either lines or circles with both hands) and Bimanually Incompatible (a line with one hand and a circle with the other hand). We show that the electro-cortical activity recorded during the preparation of the bimanually incompatible actions included a central positivity (CP) that began approximately 2.5s before movement onset and was localized in medial frontal areas. We then recorded a later (ca. 700ms before movement onset) negative activity in the supplementary motor area (consistent with Bereitschaftspotential). Finally, a strong frontal lateral positivity (FLP) emerged ca. 1.8s before the initiation of drawing that was localized in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. All components were bilateral. The CP component has not been described before. These data are discussed with regard to the “interference network” theory. •We showed the brain activity timing associated with bimanual incompatible movements.•We found novel electro-cortical activities preceding and following the movement.•These activities were localized in the prefrontal, premotor and parietal cortices.•The presence of the “interference network” for bimanual actions was confirmed.•The knowledge about this network has been extended including its timing.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc,Elsevier,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Adult / Behavior / Bimanual coordination / Biological and medical sciences / Brain Mapping / Electroencephalography / Female / Frontal Lobe - physiology / Functional Laterality - physiology / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / Humans / Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Incompatible movements / Interference network / Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Male / Motor control and motor pathways. Reflexes. Control centers of vegetative functions. Vestibular system and equilibration / Motor Cortex - physiology / Movement - physiology / MRCP / Nerve Net - physiology / Photic Stimulation / Prefrontal cortex / Prefrontal Cortex - physiology / Premotor anticipation / Psychomotor Performance - physiology / Studies / Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs / Young Adult