Selective sensorimotor modulation operates during cognitive representation of movement. (15th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bonassi, Gaia; Bisio, Ambra; Lagravinese, Giovanna; Ruggeri, Piero; Bove, Marco; Avanzino, Laura
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 409(2019)
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2019-06-15
• Subjects: motor imagery -- sensorimotor modulation -- short afferent inhibition -- primary motor cortex -- transcranial magnetic stimulation; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.04.031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Abstract: Before movement onset, during the reaction time, excitability of M1 is selectively modulated by somatosensory inputs, only in the movement-related muscle. If a similar mechanism operates before the onset of mental movements, then somatosensory afferent inputs are exploited during cognitive representation of movement. We assessed sensorimotor modulation through short latency afferent inhibition (SAI) paradigm before the onset of executed and imagined movements. Participants performed or imagined an abduction of index or little finger, in response to an acoustic signal. SAI was evaluated between a Warning and a Go signal and 100 ms after the Go signal, before the real or expected EMG activity. Results showed a reduction of SAI after the Go signal, in the movement-related muscle, during motor imagery as well as movement execution. There was a positive correlation between the individual degree of sensorimotor modulation during executed and mental movements and between the sensorimotor modulation during mental movements and motor imagery ability. Sensorimotor modulation operates during the cognitive representation of movement with selective disinhibition of the cortical representation of the muscle involved in the task. Sensorimotor modulation mechanisms prior to mental and executed movements likely share overlapping circuits. Highlights: Sensorimotor modulation operates before the onset of executed and mental movements. Sensorimotor modulation operates only in the movement-related muscle. Sensorimotor modulation prior to real and mental movements share overlapping circuits.