Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK.
Neuroimage. 2012 Jun;61(2):464-77. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.12.042. Epub 2011 Dec 27.
The motor system has been intensively studied using the emerging neuroimaging technologies over the last twenty years. These include early applications of positron emission tomography of brain perfusion, metabolic rate and receptor function, as well as functional magnetic resonance imaging, tractography from diffusion weighted imaging, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Motor system research has the advantage of the existence of extensive electrophysiological and anatomical information from comparative studies which enables cross-validation of new methods. We review the impact of neuroimaging on the understanding of diverse motor functions, including motor learning, decision making, inhibition and the mirror neuron system. In addition, we show how imaging of the motor system has supported a powerful platform for bidirectional translational neuroscience. In one direction, it has provided the opportunity to study safely the processes of neuroplasticity, neural networks and neuropharmacology in stroke and movement disorders and offers a sensitive tool to assess novel therapeutics. In the reverse direction, imaging of clinical populations has promoted innovations in cognitive theory, experimental design and analysis. We highlight recent developments in the analysis of structural and functional connectivity in the motor system; the advantages of integration of multiple methodologies; and new approaches to experimental design using formal models of cognitive-motor processes.
在过去的二十年中，新兴的神经影像学技术已经对运动系统进行了深入研究。这些技术包括早期应用脑灌注、代谢率和受体功能的正电子发射断层扫描，以及功能磁共振成像、扩散加权成像的轨迹追踪和经颅磁刺激。运动系统研究的优势在于存在来自比较研究的广泛的电生理学和解剖学信息，这使得新方法可以相互验证。我们回顾了神经影像学对理解各种运动功能的影响，包括运动学习、决策、抑制和镜像神经元系统。此外，我们还展示了运动系统的成像如何为双向转化神经科学提供了一个强大的平台。在一个方向上，它为研究中风和运动障碍中的神经可塑性、神经网络和神经药理学过程提供了安全的机会，并提供了评估新疗法的敏感工具。在相反的方向上，对临床人群的成像促进了认知理论、实验设计和分析的创新。我们强调了运动系统结构和功能连接分析的最新进展；多种方法综合的优势；以及使用认知-运动过程的正式模型进行实验设计的新方法。
