Dynamic Parieto-premotor Network for Mental Image Transformation Revealed by Simultaneous EEG and fMRI Measurement

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that the posterior parietal cortices and premotor areas are involved in mental image transformation. However, it remains unknown whether these regions really cooperate to realize mental image transformation. In this study, simultaneous EEG and fMRI were performed to clarify the spatio-temporal properties of neural networks engaged in mental image transformation. We adopted a modified version of the mental clock task used by Sack et al. [Sack, A. T., Camprodon, J. A., Pascual-Leone, A., & Goebel, R. The dynamics of interhemispheric compensatory processes in mental imagery. Science, 308, 702-704, 2005; Sack, A. T., Sperling, J. M., Prvulovic, D., Formisano, E., Goebel, R., Di Salle, F., et al. Tracking the mind's image in the brain II: Transcranial magnetic stimulation reveals parietal asymmetry in visuospatial imagery. Neuron, 35, 195-204, 2002]. In the modified mental clock task, participants mentally rotated clock hands from the position initially presented at a learned speed for various durations. Subsequently, they matched the position to the visually presented clock hands. During mental rotation of the clock hands, we observed significant beta EEG suppression with respect to the amount of mental rotation at the right parietal electrode. The beta EEG suppression accompanied activity in the bilateral parietal cortices and left premotor cortex, representing a dynamic cortical network for mental image transformation. These results suggest that motor signals from the premotor area were utilized for mental image transformation in the parietal areas and for updating the imagined clock hands represented in the right posterior parietal cortex.

Differential neural encoding of sensorimotor and visual body representations

“…This latter possibly encodes the motor aspect of mental rotation. This is in line with previous studies which used similar experimental protocols and observed the activation of SMA28 and PMC33. During mental rotation of hands we also found the activation of BG.…”

Acoustic Neurofeedback Increases Beta ERD During Mental Rotation Task

“…The results related to increased beta suppression enabled by neurofeedback above the left parietal cortex at the early stage and above the right parietal cortex at the late stage of mental rotation are consistent with the findings reported by Sasaoka et al (2014). Using simultaneous EEG and fMRI measurements, these researchers established that the process of mental image transformation is accompanied by beta-band desynchronisation observed bilaterally in the parietal cortices.…”

“…Time–frequency characterisation of brain activity during performance of the Shepard–Metzler task shows a dominant role of beta-band suppression, although this effect was usually linked to tasks engaging motor imagery (Engel and Fries 2010; Nam et al 2011; Wang et al 2016). Simultaneously conducted fMRI and EEG measurements showed a significant relation between beta ERD and the process of mental transformation of objects (Sasaoka et al 2014). Sasaoka and colleagues established that increased activation in bilateral parietal cortex and the left premotor cortex is accompanied with greater beta-band suppression during the mental transformation of objects.…”

“…Sasaoka and colleagues established that increased activation in bilateral parietal cortex and the left premotor cortex is accompanied with greater beta-band suppression during the mental transformation of objects. Beta-band desynchronisation increases with the amount of mental transformation applied to an object; the relevant evidence was reported for the number of transformations (Sasaoka et al 2014) and for the angle of rotation (Chen et al 2014).…”

Evaluation of Electroencephalography Source Localization Algorithms with Multiple Cortical Sources

“…This issue is particularly important as there are often multiple sources of EEG, and distinguishing these sources can give important insight into the workings of the brain. For example, when recording motor related potentials, various cortical regions may be active simultaneously such as during visually guided movements [ 9 ] or while performing motor tasks requiring mental image transformations [ 10 ]. Accurately reconstructing this activity would allow for the study of how cortical regions are associated with various motor tasks.…”