Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the primary motor cortex in humans: response to increased functional demands.

Khushu, S; Kumaran, S S; Tripathi, R P; Gupta, A; Jain, P C; Jain, V

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the primary motor cortex in humans: response to increased functional demands.

Date

2001-06-27

Authors

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have been performed on 20 right handed volunteers at 1.5 Tesla using echo planar imaging (EPI) protocol. Index finger tapping invoked localized activation in the primary motor area. Consistent and highly reproducible activation in the primary motor area was observed in six different sessions of a volunteer over a period of one month. Increased tapping rate resulted in increase in the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal intensity as well as the volume/area of activation (pixels) in the contralateral primary motor area up to tapping rate of 120 taps/min (2 Hz), beyond which it saturates. Activation in supplementary motor area was also observed. The obtained results are correlated to increased functional demands.

Citation

Khushu S, Kumaran SS, Tripathi RP, Gupta A, Jain PC, Jain V. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the primary motor cortex in humans: response to increased functional demands. Journal of Biosciences. 2001 Jun; 26(2): 205-15