Increased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex Related to Planning during a Handwriting Task

We investigated the relationship between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and executive function during a drawing task. Thirty-three participants using pen tablets provided the data for this task. PFC activity was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a simple zig-zag task a...

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Main Authors: Akiko Megumi, Jungpil Shin, Yuta Uchida, Akira Yasumura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Psych
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8611/5/3/59
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author Akiko Megumi
Jungpil Shin
Yuta Uchida
Akira Yasumura
author_facet Akiko Megumi
Jungpil Shin
Yuta Uchida
Akira Yasumura
author_sort Akiko Megumi
collection DOAJ
description We investigated the relationship between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and executive function during a drawing task. Thirty-three participants using pen tablets provided the data for this task. PFC activity was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a simple zig-zag task and a complex periodic line (PL) pattern task. For each task, there was a trace condition and a prediction condition. The Executive Function Questionnaire (EFQ) was used to examine the association between brain-function measurements and executive function during the task. PFC activity was analyzed in the right, middle, and left regions. Oxygenated hemoglobin values measured with fNIRS were converted to z-values and analyzed as a measure of brain activity. Drawing fluency was measured using the line length. In the PL pattern task, the line length was significantly shorter under the prediction condition than under the trace condition. Activity in the right PFC under the prediction condition was significantly higher than that under the trace condition in the PL pattern task, and the score of the EFQ planning subscale was associated with activity in the right PFC. Activity in the right PFC is important for fluent drawing, suggesting that it is also important during drawing activities involving symbols such as letters.
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spelling doaj.art-17829d87509947cba2ab8ceaf7b40f3a2023-11-19T12:43:40ZengMDPI AGPsych2624-86112023-08-015389690710.3390/psych5030059Increased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex Related to Planning during a Handwriting TaskAkiko Megumi0Jungpil Shin1Yuta Uchida2Akira Yasumura3Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, JapanPattern Processing Lab, School of Computer Science and Engineering, The University of Aizu, Fukushima 965-8580, JapanSchool of Computer Science and Engineering, The University of Aizu, Fukushima 965-8580, JapanFaculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8555, JapanWe investigated the relationship between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and executive function during a drawing task. Thirty-three participants using pen tablets provided the data for this task. PFC activity was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a simple zig-zag task and a complex periodic line (PL) pattern task. For each task, there was a trace condition and a prediction condition. The Executive Function Questionnaire (EFQ) was used to examine the association between brain-function measurements and executive function during the task. PFC activity was analyzed in the right, middle, and left regions. Oxygenated hemoglobin values measured with fNIRS were converted to z-values and analyzed as a measure of brain activity. Drawing fluency was measured using the line length. In the PL pattern task, the line length was significantly shorter under the prediction condition than under the trace condition. Activity in the right PFC under the prediction condition was significantly higher than that under the trace condition in the PL pattern task, and the score of the EFQ planning subscale was associated with activity in the right PFC. Activity in the right PFC is important for fluent drawing, suggesting that it is also important during drawing activities involving symbols such as letters.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8611/5/3/59drawingprefrontal cortexexecutive functionfunctional near-infrared spectroscopy
spellingShingle Akiko Megumi
Jungpil Shin
Yuta Uchida
Akira Yasumura
Increased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex Related to Planning during a Handwriting Task
Psych
drawing
prefrontal cortex
executive function
functional near-infrared spectroscopy
title Increased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex Related to Planning during a Handwriting Task
title_full Increased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex Related to Planning during a Handwriting Task
title_fullStr Increased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex Related to Planning during a Handwriting Task
title_full_unstemmed Increased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex Related to Planning during a Handwriting Task
title_short Increased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex Related to Planning during a Handwriting Task
title_sort increased activity in the prefrontal cortex related to planning during a handwriting task
topic drawing
prefrontal cortex
executive function
functional near-infrared spectroscopy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8611/5/3/59
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AT akirayasumura increasedactivityintheprefrontalcortexrelatedtoplanningduringahandwritingtask