Internal simulation of expected sensory experiences before movements get started.
The functions of the cortical and subcortical motor areas have been regarded as the execution and control of limb movements. We introduce recent neuroimaging evidence in humans that somatic sensation elicited by afferent inputs that signal limb movement also engage the motor areas. It is generally understood that somatic sensation can only be experienced once movement has been executed. Here we provide evidence that somatic sensation of limb movement can be internally simulated before the movement gets started by recruiting the motor areas. It is suggested that the sensory experiences that are expected when movements are actually executed can be internally simulated in the network of the motor areas during motor imagery.
Naito
Eiichi
E
Faculty of Human Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. eiichi.naito@neuro.mbox.media.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Sadato
Norihiro
N
D000818:Animals; D005121:Extremities / Q000502:physiology; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007088:Illusions; D007092:Imagination / Q000502:physiology*; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012677:Sensation