Functional magnetic resonance imaging of motor cortex: hemispheric asymmetry and handedness.
A hemispheric asymmetry in the functional activation of the human motor cortex during contralateral (C) and ipsilateral (I) finger movements, especially in right-handed subjects, was documented with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging at high field strength (4 tesla). Whereas the right motor cortex was activated mostly during contralateral finger movements in both right-handed (C/I mean area of activation = 36.8) and left-handed (C/I = 29.9) subjects, the left motor cortex was activated substantially during ipsilateral movements in left-handed subjects (C/I = 5.4) and even more so in right-handed subjects (C/I = 1.3).
Kim
S G
SG
Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455.
Ashe
J
J
Hendrich
K
K
Ellermann
J M
JM
Merkle
H
H
Uğurbil
K
K
Georgopoulos
A P
AP
D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*