The cerebellum is involved in predicting the sensory consequences of action.
We used H2(15)O PET to examine neural responses to parametrically varied degrees of discrepancy between the predicted and actual sensory consequences of movement. Subjects used their right hand to move a robotic arm. The motion of this robotic arm determined the position of a second foam-tipped robotic arm, which made contact with the subject's left palm. Using this robotic interface, computer controlled delays were introduced between the movement of the right hand and the tactile stimulation on the left. Activity in the right lateral cerebellar cortex showed a positive correlation with delay. These results suggest the cerebellum is involved in signalling the sensory discrepancy between the predicted and actual sensory consequences of movements.
Blakemore
S J
SJ
INSERM Unit 280, Mental Processes and Brain Activation, 151 Cours Albert-Thomas, 69424 Lyon Cedex 3, France.
Frith
C D
CD
Wolpert
D M
DM
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*