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Dynamic cortical activity in the human brain reveals motor equivalence

Author

Listed:
  • J. A. S. Kelso

    (Program in Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Center for Complex Systems, Florida Atlantic University)

  • A. Fuchs

    (Program in Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Center for Complex Systems, Florida Atlantic University)

  • R. Lancaster

    (Program in Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Center for Complex Systems, Florida Atlantic University)

  • T. Holroyd

    (Program in Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Center for Complex Systems, Florida Atlantic University)

  • D. Cheyne

    (Brain Behavior Laboratory, Discovery Park, Simon Fraser University)

  • H. Weinberg

    (Brain Behavior Laboratory, Discovery Park, Simon Fraser University)

Abstract

That animals and humans can accomplish the same goal using different effectors and different goals using the same effectors attests to the remarkable flexibility of the central nervous system. This phenomenon has been termed ‘motor equivalence’1,2, an example being the writing of a name with a pencil held between the toes or teeth. The idea of motor equivalence has reappeared because single-cell studies in monkeys have shown that parameters of voluntary movement (such as direction) may be specified in the brain, relegating muscle activation to spinal interneuronal systems3,4. Using a novel experimental paradigm5 and a full-head SQUID (for superconducting quantum interference device) array to record magnetic fields corresponding to ongoing brain activity, we demonstrate: (1), a robust relationship between time-dependent activity in sensorimotor cortex and movement velocity, independent of explicit task requirements; and (2) neural activations that are specific to task demands alone. It appears, therefore, that signatures of motor equivalence in humans may be found in dynamic patterns of cortical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • J. A. S. Kelso & A. Fuchs & R. Lancaster & T. Holroyd & D. Cheyne & H. Weinberg, 1998. "Dynamic cortical activity in the human brain reveals motor equivalence," Nature, Nature, vol. 392(6678), pages 814-818, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:392:y:1998:i:6678:d:10.1038_33922
    DOI: 10.1038/33922
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    Cited by:

    1. Guy Gaziv & Lior Noy & Yuvalal Liron & Uri Alon, 2017. "A reduced-dimensionality approach to uncovering dyadic modes of body motion in conversations," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(1), pages 1-23, January.

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