Functional MRI in the assessment of cortical activation during gait-related imaginary tasks.
Imaginary tasks can be used to investigate the neurophysiology of gait. In this study, we explored the cortical control of gait-related imagery in 21 healthy volunteers using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Imaginary tasks included gait initiation, stepping over an obstacle, and gait termination. Subjects watched a video clip that showed an actor in gait motion under an event-related design. We detected activation in the supplementary motor area during major gait-related imagery tasks, and especially during gait initiation. During gait termination and stepping over an obstacle, the amount of cortical resources allocated to the imaginary tasks included a large visuomotor network comprising the dorsal and ventral premotor areas. We conclude that our paradigm to study the cortical control of gait may help in elucidating the pathophysiology of higher-level gait disorders.
Wang
JiunJie
J
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, ChangGung University, TaoYuan, Taiwan.
Wai
YauYau
Y
Weng
YiHsin
Y
Ng
KoonKwan
K
Huang
Ying-Zu
YZ
Ying
Leslie
L
Liu
HaoLi
H
Wang
ChiHong
C
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007092:Imagination / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D010100:Oxygen