An fMRI Study of Frontal–Subcortical Skeletomotor Circuit and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Function Using a Paced Motor Activation Paradigm

Abstract

The frontal-subcortical skeletomotor circuit is thought to be a motor processing network. However, the exact function of the circuit is poorly characterized. This fMRI study utilized a motor activation paradigm for both hands to probe circuit engagement and connectivity. Activation of the circuit decreased over time for the right hand, which suggests circuit engagement can vary during task execution. Changes in activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were highly correlated with changes in activation of right skeletomotor circuit input, output and intrinsic nuclei for both the left and right-hand tasks, which indicates significant functional connectivity between these brain regions during motor activity. This finding suggests circuit involvement in motor execution may be more complex than predicted by the two-pathway hypothesis of circuit function. Finally, patterns of activation suggested that the two-pathway hypothesis does not completely explain activation in response to a synchronized motor task.

Functional architecture of the cortico‐basal ganglia circuitry during motor task execution: Correlations of strength of functional connectivity with neuropsychological task performance among female subjects

“…In particular, growing evidence suggests that nuclei connected by inhibitory fibers do in fact exhibit strong functional connectivity. For example, we have previously found that basal ganglia intrinsic structures receiving primarily inhibitory input activate during motor task execution [Marchand et al, 2007b]. Further, we have reported [Marchand et al, 2007d] failure to find evidence of deactivation among basal ganglia intrinsic structures that receive inhibitory input during motor behavior.…”

Cortico-basal ganglia circuitry: a review of key research and implications for functional connectivity studies of mood and anxiety disorders

“…A human fMRI study revealed that neuronal activity of specific basal ganglia nuclei is affected by whether feedback is derived from visual or auditory inputs providing evidence of convergence of sensory input with motor output information (Prodoehl et al 2008). Another study demonstrated functional connectivity of the putamen with the DLPFC during motor task execution providing evidence of the integration of motor and cognitive information (Marchand et al 2007a). A rodent study (Kasanetz et al 2008) of the striatal up states discussed above revealed that the coordination between cortical areas and striatal regions obeys a mediolateral gradient and tracks slow wave trajectories across the neocortex.…”

Neurodevelopmental disorders and associated emotional/behavioral sequelae.

“…As a result, we also discuss how person-environment interactions influence and direct the pattern of deficits or strengths individuals with acquired neurodevelopmental conditions present with over time. Specifically, we propose that many of the neuropsychological sequelae associated with the disorders discussed in this chapter, including executive dysfunction, mood disturbance, and psychotic symptoms, reflect a primary disruption in the unfolding development of frontal-subcortical circuitry (marchand et al, 2007;tekin & Cummings, 2002), leading to an altered trajectory of cognitive, behavioral, and emotion regulation across time. Available evidence from specific imaging studies is presented in table 12.1 to elucidate these relationships.…”