May Functional Imaging be Helpful for Behavioral Assessment in Children? Regions of Motor and Associative Cortico-Subcortical Circuits Can be Differentiated by Laterality and Rostrality

Abstract

BackgroundCortico-subcortical circuits are organized into the sensorimotor, associative, and limbic loop. These neuronal preconditions play an important role regarding the understanding and treatment of behavioral problems in children. Differencing evidence argues for a lateralized organization of the sensorimotor loop and a bilateral (i.e., non-lateralized) organization of the associative loop. However, a firm behavioral–neurobiological distinction of these circuits has been difficult, specifically in children.ObjectivesThus, the aim was a comprehensive functional visualization and differentiation of the sensorimotor and the associative circuit during childhood. As a new approach, laterality and rostrality features were used to distinguish between the two circuits within one single motor task.MethodsTwenty-four healthy boys performed self-paced index finger tapping with each hand separately during functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla.ResultsA contrast analysis for left against right hand movement revealed lateralized activation in typical sensorimotor regions such as primary sensorimotor cortex, caudal supplementary motor area (SMA), caudal putamen, and thalamus. A conjunction analysis confirmed bilateral involvement of known associative regions including pre-SMA, rostral SMA, and rostral putamen.ConclusionA functional visualization of two distinct corticostriatal circuits is provided in childhood. Both the sensorimotor and associative circuit may be discriminated by their laterality characteristics already in minors. Additionally, the results support the concept of a modified functional subdivision of the SMA in a rostral (associative) and caudal (motor) part. A further development of this approach might help to nurture behavioral assessment and neurofeedback training in child mental health.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder: current perspectives

“…Research has delineated that rostral “associative” and caudal “sensorimotor” components of the sensorimotor cortex serve different functions in the process of planning and executing motor movements. 50 , 51 The rostral, associative part of the sensorimotor cortex, including the pre-SMA, rostral cingulate motor area, and rostral premotor areas, are thought to be involved in sequence generation and motor learning, and have close connections with other PFC regions. 50 Caudal components, including the SMA, motor cortex, caudal cingulate motor area, and premotor areas, are considered responsible for movement execution.…”

Biomarkers in Child Mental Health: a bio-psycho-social perspective is needed

“…Therefore, a better and more detailed knowledge on cortico-subcortical circuits in children is demanded. “These neuronal preconditions (necessary but not sufficient) play an important role regarding the understanding and treatment of behavioral problems in children” [ 20 ]. The authors could show by functional imaging that “the sensorimotor and associative circuit may be discriminated by their laterality and rostrality characteristics already in healthy minors”; probably a helpful step towards a better tuning for brain-behavior relationship within the framework of clinical assessment and thus for biomarker research.…”