TITLE:
The Effect of Handedness on Supplementary Motor Area Activation during Complex Motor Tasks
AUTHORS:
Amauri Dalla-Corte, Carlos M. M. das Neves, Maurício Anés, Mirna W. Portuguez, Jaderson C. Dacosta
KEYWORDS:
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Motor Control, Supplementary Motor Area, Laterality, Handedness
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science,
Vol.5 No.10,
September
29,
2015
ABSTRACT: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess the activity of supplementary motor area (SMA) in six right-handed and six left-handed healthy volunteers. Two manual tasks (self-initiated previously practiced and unpredictable visually guided) were used. Quantitative analysis of hemispheric and bilateral SMA activation was described as mean ± standard deviation of hot spots/total spots. The two tasks induced bilateral SMA activation. The laterality of SMA activation was affected by manual dominance. Left SMA was significantly more activated in right- and left-handers while performing the motor tasks with the right hand. Right SMA was more activated in the left-handers when the left hand was used. Task complexity was the most important factor influencing the degree of SMA activation.