Functional MRI in the assessment of cortical activation during gait-related imaginary tasks.

Full Abstract

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.

Author information

Author/s: Wang, JiunJie (J); Wai, YauYau (Y); Weng, YiHsin (Y); Ng, KoonKwan (K); Huang, Ying-Zu (YZ); Ying, Leslie (L); Liu, HaoLi (H); Wang, ChiHong (C);

Affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, ChangGung University, TaoYuan, Taiwan.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) (J Neural Transm), published in Austria. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 116 (issue 9) : pp 1087-92

Dates: Created 2009/08/26; Completed 2009/09/30;

PMID: 19669694, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/30/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.