Striatal activity during intentional switching depends on pattern stability.
The theoretical framework of coordination dynamics posits complementary neural mechanisms to maintain complex behavioral patterns under circumstances that may render them unstable and to voluntarily switch between behaviors if changing internal or external conditions so demand. A candidate neural structure known to play a role in both the selection and maintenance of intentional behavior is the basal ganglia. Here, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the role of basal ganglia in intentional switching between bimanual coordination patterns that are known to differ in their stability as a function of movement rate. Key measures of pattern dynamics and switching were used to map behavior onto the associated neural circuitry to determine the relation between specific behavioral variables and activated brain areas. Results show that putamen activity is highly sensitive to pattern stability: greater activity was observed in bilateral putamen when subjects were required to switch from a more to a less stable pattern than vice versa. Since putamen activity correlated with pattern stability both before and during the switching process, its role may be to select desired actions and inhibit competing ones through parametric modulation of the intrinsic dynamics. Though compatible with recent computational models of basal ganglia function, our results further suggest that pattern stability determines how the basal ganglia efficiently and successfully select among response alternatives.
De Luca
Cinzia
C
Department of Clinical Sciences and Bioimaging and Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, Gabriele d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy. c.deluca@unich.it
Jantzen
Kelly J
KJ
Comani
Silvia
S
Bertollo
Maurizio
M
Kelso
J A Scott
JA
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011699:Putamen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014836:Volition / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult