title: A new pneumatic vibrator for functional magnetic resonance imaging of the human sensorimotor cortex.
abstract: The aim of the study was to implement a vibrotactile stimulator using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A fMRI compatible vibration device consisting of a pneumatically driven dual membrane pump was developed. Brain activation during 50 Hz vibrotactile stimulation of the right hand-palm were compared to a right 2 Hz finger-to-thumb-tapping in ten healthy, right-handed male volunteers. The vibration paradigm showed a comparable activation pattern with respect to finger-to-thumb-tapping in the contralateral perirolandic region. The advantage of the new vibration device is the possibility to elicit the vibratory-tonic-reflex due to the higher amplitude in context with the high frequency than established devices. This reflex is considered to be responsible for the activation in the primary motor cortex and the current paradigm might prove useful in future neurosurgical planning in patients with perirolandic lesions.
authors: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Graz, Austria. stefan.golaszewski@uibk.ac.at
authors: Stefan M
authors: SM
authors: Golaszewski
authors: Fritz
authors: F
authors: Zschiegner
authors: Christian M
authors: CM
authors: Siedentopf
authors: Josef
authors: J
authors: Unterrainer
authors: Reinhart A
authors: RA
authors: Sweeney
authors: Wilhelm
authors: W
authors: Eisner
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Lechner-Steinleitner
authors: Felix M
authors: FM
authors: Mottaghy
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Felber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D000399:Air Pressure; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration