title: Characterization of Cortical Networks and Corticocortical Functional Connectivity Mediating Arbitrary Visuomotor Mapping.
abstract: Adaptive behaviors are built on the arbitrary linkage of sensory inputs to actions and goals. Although the sensorimotor and associative frontostriatal circuits are known to mediate arbitrary visuomotor mappings, the underlying corticocortico dynamics remain elusive. Here, we take a novel approach exploiting gamma-band neural activity to study the human cortical networks and corticocortical functional connectivity mediating arbitrary visuomotor mapping. Single-trial gamma-power time courses were estimated for all Brodmann areas by combing magnetoencephalographic and MRI data with spectral analysis and beam-forming techniques. Linear correlation and Granger causality analyses were performed to investigate functional connectivity between cortical regions. The performance of visuomotor associations was characterized by an increase in gamma-power and functional connectivity over the sensorimotor and frontoparietal network, in addition to medial prefrontal areas. The superior parietal area played a driving role in the network, exerting Granger causality on the dorsal premotor area. Premotor areas acted as relay from parietal to medial prefrontal cortices, which played a receiving role in the network. Link community analysis further revealed that visuomotor mappings reflect the coordination of multiple subnetworks with strong overlap over motor and frontoparietal areas. We put forward an associative account of the underlying cognitive processes and corticocortical functional connectivity. Overall, our approach and results provide novel perspectives toward a better understanding of how distributed brain activity coordinates adaptive behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In everyday life, most of our behaviors are based on the arbitrary linkage of sensory information to actions and goals, such as stopping at a red traffic light. Despite their automaticity, such behaviors rely on the activity of a large brain network and elusive interareal functional connectivity. We take a novel approach exploiting noninvasive recordings of human brain activity to reveal the cortical networks and corticocortical functional connectivity mediating visuomotor mappings. Parietal areas were found to play a driving role in the network, whereas premotor areas acted as relays from parietal to medial prefrontal cortices, which played a receiving role. Overall, our approach and results provide novel perspectives toward a better understanding of how distributed brain activity coordinates adaptive behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone UMR 7289, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, 13385 Marseille, France, andrea.brovelli@univ-amu.fr.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5342-1330
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brovelli
authors.affiliation: Neural Computation Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems@UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chicharro
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, INS UMR S1106, 13005 Marseille, France, and Inserm, UMR S1106, 13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Badier
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, INS UMR S1106, 13005 Marseille, France, and Inserm, UMR S1106, 13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Huifang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, INS UMR S1106, 13005 Marseille, France, and Inserm, UMR S1106, 13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Viktor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jirsa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D065818:Gamma Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D015225:Magnetoencephalography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Granger causality; corticocortical coupling; functional connectivity; gamma-band neural activity; magnetoencephaplography; visuomotor behaviors