Positron computed tomography studies of cerebral metabolic responses to complex motor tasks
Human motor system organization was explored in 8 right-handed male subjects using /sup 18/F-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron computed tomography to measure cerebral glucose metabolism. Five subjects had triple studies (eyes closed) including: control (hold pen in right hand without moving), normal size writing (subject repeatedly writes name) and large (10-15 X normal) name writing. In these studies normal and large size writing had a similar distribution of metabolic responses when compared to control studies. Activations (percent change from control) were in the range of 12-20% and occurred in the striatum bilaterally > contralateral Rolandic cortex > contralateral thalamus. No significant activations were observed in the ipsilateral thalamus, Rolandic cortex or cerebellum (supplementary motor cortex was not examined). The magnitude of the metabolic response in the striatum was greater with the large versus normal sized writing. This differential response may be due to an increased number and topographic distribution of neurons responding with the same average activity between tasks or an increase in the functional activity of the same neuronal population between the two tasks (present spatial resolution inadequate to differentiate). When subjects (N=3) performed novel sequential finger movements, the maximal metabolic response was in the contralateral Rolandic cortex > striatum. Such studies provide a means of exploring human motor system organization, motor learning and provide a basis for examining patients with motor system disorders.
- Research Organization:
- UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 6551117
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-840619-; TRN: 87-021962
- Journal Information:
- J. Nucl. Med.; (United States), Vol. 25:5; Conference: 31. annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 5 Jun 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Mapping of functional activity in brain with /sup 18/F-fluoro-deoxyglucose
Mapping of change in cerebral glucose utilization using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose double injection and the constrained weighted-integration method
Related Subjects
BRAIN
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
METABOLISM
POSITRON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
CAT SCANNING
FLUORODEOXYGLUCOSE
MAN
RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SCINTISCANNING
ANIMALS
ANTIMETABOLITES
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DRUGS
EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
FUNCTIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
TOMOGRAPHY
VERTEBRATES
550101* - Behavioral Biology- Tracer Techniques
551001 - Physiological Systems- Tracer Techniques
550501 - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques