The Neural Representations of Simple and Complex Movement Sequences
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2017-08-15
Language
en
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Abstract
uman sequential behavior is organized in a hierarchy of abstractness and complexity. The frontal lobe shows a related hierarchy in its anterior-posterior organization in its activation levels (motor hierarchy). In this study, we investigated whether this anterior-posterior organization reflects an anterior-posterior organization of complexity representations, or is merely related to an increase in working memory load with complexity. We expected that more complex movements are represented in more anterior regions as compared to simpler ones. By using cvMANOVA on fMRI data of the imagination and execution of simple and complex movement sequences, we investigated the pattern distinctness of complex and simple sequence execution and their overlap with the pattern distinctness of their imagination. Our results showed that complex sequence executions show significant clusters in the primary motor cortex, the supplementary motor areas and the premotor cortex. These regions show overlap in distinctness for imagination and execution as well. Simple sequences show significant clusters in sequence execution in the primary motor cortex, the premotor cortex and the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, the overlap in pattern distinctness of simple sequences show significant clusters in the premotor cortex and the prefrontal cortex. These results indicate that complex rather than simpler movements are represented more posterior. Concluding, the hierarchical organization in the frontal lobe might not be driven its complexity, but rather by the abstractness of the representation of a complex movement.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen