Activation of the Parieto-Premotor Network Is Associated with Vivid Motor Imagery—A Parametric fMRI Study

Abstract

The present study examined the neural basis of vivid motor imagery with parametrical functional magnetic resonance imaging. 22 participants performed motor imagery (MI) of six different right-hand movements that differed in terms of pointing accuracy needs and object involvement, i.e., either none, two big or two small squares had to be pointed at in alternation either with or without an object grasped with the fingers. After each imagery trial, they rated the perceived vividness of motor imagery on a 7-point scale. Results showed that increased perceived imagery vividness was parametrically associated with increasing neural activation within the left putamen, the left premotor cortex (PMC), the posterior parietal cortex of the left hemisphere, the left primary motor cortex, the left somatosensory cortex, and the left cerebellum. Within the right hemisphere, activation was found within the right cerebellum, the right putamen, and the right PMC. It is concluded that the perceived vividness of MI is parametrically associated with neural activity within sensorimotor areas. The results corroborate the hypothesis that MI is an outcome of neural computations based on movement representations located within motor areas.

Cortical activation during executed, imagined, observed, and passive wrist movements in healthy volunteers and stroke patients

“…Patients, on the other hand, performed overt execution (each patient was able to produce an overt wrist movement at least once, see Table 2 and Supplementary Table 2) only after the other conditions had been acquired, so that the motor image was probably based on movements longer ago, maybe even from pre-stroke times. This may have resulted in a less vivid motor image, which may have resulted in lower activation levels (Lorey et al, 2011). However, it is noteworthy that Imagery was nevertheless the covert movement mode which resembled attempted execution best.…”

The Effect of Motor Imagery on Spinal Motor Neuron Excitability and Its Clinical Use in Physical Therapy

“…Lorey et al [30] studied the relationship between activation of the cerebral cortex during MI and the vividness of MI by fMRI. The primary motor cortex, premotor area, primary somatosensory area, inferior parietal lobe and superior parietal lobe, putamen, and cerebellum showed activation during MI.…”

Brain Activity during the Observation, Imagery, and Execution of Tool Use: An fNIRS/EEG Study

“…Imagery can be divided into two main types: first-person (muscular sensory) imagery and third-person (visual) imagery. Studies have shown that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, premotor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, and inferior parietal lobule are activated during first-person imagery [6,37,38]. Moreover, the left inferior parietal lobule is activated more during first-person imagery than during third-person imagery [39].…”