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Primary Motor Cortex Excitability Is Modulated During the Mental Simulation of Hand Movement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2017

Christian Hyde ,
Ian Fuelscher ,
Jarrad A.G. Lum ,
Jacqueline Williams ,
Jason He  and
Peter G. Enticott
Christian Hyde*
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Ian Fuelscher
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Jarrad A.G. Lum
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Jacqueline Williams
Affiliation:
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
Jason He
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Peter G. Enticott
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Christian Hyde, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, 3125, Victoria, Australia. E-mail: c.hyde@deakin.edu.au
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Abstract

Objectives: It is unclear whether the primary motor cortex (PMC) is involved in the mental simulation of movement [i.e., motor imagery (MI)]. The present study aimed to clarify PMC involvement using a highly novel adaptation of the hand laterality task (HLT). Methods: Participants were administered single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the hand area of the left PMC (hPMC) at either 50 ms, 400 ms, or 650 ms post stimulus presentation. Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from the right first dorsal interosseous via electromyography. To avoid the confound of gross motor response, participant response (indicating left or right hand) was recorded via eye tracking. Participants were 22 healthy adults (18 to 36 years), 16 whose behavioral profile on the HLT was consistent with the use of a MI strategy (MI users). Results: hPMC excitability increased significantly during HLT performance for MI users, evidenced by significantly larger right hand MEPs following single-pulse TMS 50 ms, 400 ms, and 650 ms post stimulus presentation relative to baseline. Subsequent analysis showed that hPMC excitability was greater for more complex simulated hand movements, where hand MEPs at 50 ms were larger for biomechanically awkward movements (i.e., hands requiring lateral rotation) compared to simpler movements (i.e., hands requiring medial rotation). Conclusions: These findings provide support for the modulation of PMC excitability during the HLT attributable to MI, and may indicate a role for the PMC during MI. (JINS, 2017, 23, 185–193)

Keywords

Motor imageryTMSMotor cognitionCorticospinal excitabilityHand laterality taskHand rotation task, MEP
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 23 , Special Issue 2: Special Issue: Motor Cognition , February 2017 , pp. 185 - 193
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2017 

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