Localization of Sensorimotor Cortex by Using Functional
Magnetic Resonance Imaging : Comparison Between Finger
Tapping and Palm Scratching in Normal Volunteer
RATA NA KUNNAT IRANONT, M.D.*, JIRAPORN LAOTHAMATAS, M.D.*,
SAOWA NEE ASA V APHAT IBOON, M.Sc. *, LADA WAN WORAPRUCKJARU, B.Sc. *,
CHOOCHEEP KUMKRUA, B.Sc. *, ADUN KAMPANGTIP,B.Sc.*
Affiliation : * Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the location and intensity of activation of the
sensorimotor cortex between finger tapping and palm scratching paradigms in normal volunteers and
to consider using passive task instead of motor task in patients who are unable to perform motor task.
Multishot echo-planar T2*-weighted imaging sequences at the level of the sensorimotor cortex were
performed in axial plane during finger tapping and palm scratching paradigms in 13 normal volunteers.
The authors found that the location of activation was slightly posterior only in bilateral passive task
compared to bilateral motor task but there was no statistical significance. However, this observation
was not seen in unilateral tasks. The intensity of activation of both motor and passive tasks was
comparable. The authors conclude that in normal volunteers passive task (palm scratching) can be used
instead of motor task (finger tapping) to localize the location of the sensorimotor cortex.
Keywords : MRI, Functional Cortical Mapping, Sensorimotor Cortex
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