title: Targeted brain activation using an MR-compatible wrist torque measurement device and isometric motor tasks during functional magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: Dedicated pairs of isometric wrist flexion tasks, with and without visual feedback of the exerted torque, were designed to target activation of the CBL and BG in healthy subjects during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Selective activation of the cerebellum (CBL) and basal ganglia (BG), often implicated in movement disorders such as tremor and dystonia, may help identify pathological changes and expedite diagnosis. A prototyped MR-compatible wrist torque measurement device, free of magnetic and conductive materials, allowed safe execution of tasks during fMRI without causing artifacts. A significant increase of activity in CBL and BG was found in healthy volunteers during a constant torque task with visual feedback compared to a constant torque task without visual feedback. This study shows that specific pairs of motor tasks using MR-compatible equipment at the wrist allow for targeted activation of CBL and BG, paving a new way for research into the pathophysiology of movement disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of BioMechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.p.vlaar@tudelft.nl.
authors.forename: Martijn P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Vlaar
authors.affiliation: Department of BioMechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands; MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Winfred
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mugge
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul F C
authors.initials: PFC
authors.lastname: Groot
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sarvi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharifi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lo J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bour
authors.affiliation: Department of BioMechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frans C T
authors.initials: FCT
authors.lastname: van der Helm
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne-Fleur
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: van Rootselaar
authors.affiliation: Department of BioMechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Alfred C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Schouten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D019415:Torque; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Basal ganglia; Cerebellum; Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Isometric motor tasks; Optical force sensor; fMRI