Motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imagery
Abstract Motor imagery (MI) is the mental execution of actions without overt movements that depends on the ability to imagine. We explored whether this ability could be related to the cortical activity of the brain areas involved in the MI network. To this goal, brain activity was recorded using hig...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54966-1 |
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author | Martina Putzolu Jessica Samogin Gaia Bonassi Carola Cosentino Susanna Mezzarobba Alessandro Botta Laura Avanzino Dante Mantini Alessandro Vato Elisa Pelosin |
author_facet | Martina Putzolu Jessica Samogin Gaia Bonassi Carola Cosentino Susanna Mezzarobba Alessandro Botta Laura Avanzino Dante Mantini Alessandro Vato Elisa Pelosin |
author_sort | Martina Putzolu |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Motor imagery (MI) is the mental execution of actions without overt movements that depends on the ability to imagine. We explored whether this ability could be related to the cortical activity of the brain areas involved in the MI network. To this goal, brain activity was recorded using high-density electroencephalography in nineteen healthy adults while visually imagining walking on a straight path. We extracted Event-Related Desynchronizations (ERDs) in the θ, α, and β band, and we measured MI ability via (i) the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ), (ii) the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 (VMIQ), and (iii) the Imagery Ability (IA) score. We then used Pearson’s and Spearman’s coefficients to correlate MI ability scores and average ERD power (avgERD). Positive correlations were identified between VMIQ and avgERD of the middle cingulum in the β band and with avgERD of the left insula, right precentral area, and right middle occipital region in the θ band. Stronger activation of the MI network was related to better scores of MI ability evaluations, supporting the importance of testing MI ability during MI protocols. This result will help to understand MI mechanisms and develop personalized MI treatments for patients with neurological dysfunctions. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:08:13Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-6ea13169f0c944ea8e2c31dacb980c49 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2045-2322 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:08:13Z |
publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
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spelling | doaj.art-6ea13169f0c944ea8e2c31dacb980c492024-03-05T18:49:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-03-0114111010.1038/s41598-024-54966-1Motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imageryMartina Putzolu0Jessica Samogin1Gaia Bonassi2Carola Cosentino3Susanna Mezzarobba4Alessandro Botta5Laura Avanzino6Dante Mantini7Alessandro Vato8Elisa Pelosin9Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Section of Human Physiology, University of GenoaMovement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, KU LeuvenDepartment of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health, University of GenoaDepartment of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health, University of GenoaDepartment of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health, University of GenoaIRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San MartinoDepartment of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Section of Human Physiology, University of GenoaMovement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, KU LeuvenDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Catholic University of AmericaDepartment of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health, University of GenoaAbstract Motor imagery (MI) is the mental execution of actions without overt movements that depends on the ability to imagine. We explored whether this ability could be related to the cortical activity of the brain areas involved in the MI network. To this goal, brain activity was recorded using high-density electroencephalography in nineteen healthy adults while visually imagining walking on a straight path. We extracted Event-Related Desynchronizations (ERDs) in the θ, α, and β band, and we measured MI ability via (i) the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ), (ii) the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 (VMIQ), and (iii) the Imagery Ability (IA) score. We then used Pearson’s and Spearman’s coefficients to correlate MI ability scores and average ERD power (avgERD). Positive correlations were identified between VMIQ and avgERD of the middle cingulum in the β band and with avgERD of the left insula, right precentral area, and right middle occipital region in the θ band. Stronger activation of the MI network was related to better scores of MI ability evaluations, supporting the importance of testing MI ability during MI protocols. This result will help to understand MI mechanisms and develop personalized MI treatments for patients with neurological dysfunctions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54966-1Motor imageryGaitMotor imagery abilityEvent-related desynchronization (ERD)Electroencephalography (EEG) |
spellingShingle | Martina Putzolu Jessica Samogin Gaia Bonassi Carola Cosentino Susanna Mezzarobba Alessandro Botta Laura Avanzino Dante Mantini Alessandro Vato Elisa Pelosin Motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imagery Scientific Reports Motor imagery Gait Motor imagery ability Event-related desynchronization (ERD) Electroencephalography (EEG) |
title | Motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imagery |
title_full | Motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imagery |
title_fullStr | Motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imagery |
title_full_unstemmed | Motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imagery |
title_short | Motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imagery |
title_sort | motor imagery ability scores are related to cortical activation during gait imagery |
topic | Motor imagery Gait Motor imagery ability Event-related desynchronization (ERD) Electroencephalography (EEG) |
url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54966-1 |
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