Brain, Vol 121, Issue 9 1695-1709, Copyright © 1998 by Oxford University Press
C Gerloff, B Corwell, R Chen, M Hallett and LG Cohen
We evaluated the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic
stimulation (rTMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) at different stimulus
intensities on finger sequences of varying complexity. Eighteen subjects
played unimanual finger sequences of different complexity on an electronic
piano. For each finger sequence, 16 notes were played to the 2 Hz beat of a
metronome. After the first four notes, rTMS was applied to the scalp
location overlying the hand motor representation for approximately 2 s.
Accuracy and timing errors were analysed. Stimulation over the M1 had a
differential effect on sequences of different complexity. Stimulus
intensities capable of disrupting the performance of a complex sequence did
not affect simple sequences. To disrupt simple sequences, the stimulus
strength had to be augmented. This effect was characteristic of the
contralateral M1 position (five other scalp locations were also
stimulated). It is argued that the differential effect of rTMS on simple
and complex sequences is probably due to interference with M1 function.
Interference with the lateral premotor cortex (PMC) may play an additional
role. The particular relevance of the M1 is supported by results in a
patient with PMC stroke. The present findings suggest that the human M1
plays a greater role in the performance of complex than of simple finger
movement sequences. One possible explanation could be that the human M1 is
not only an executive motor area but can also contribute to movement
sequence organization.
ARTICLES
The role of the human motor cortex in the control of complex and simple finger movement sequences
Human Cortical Physiology Unit, Medical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1430, USA.
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