Brain Activation in the Prefrontal Cortex during Motor and Cognitive Tasks in Adults
Date
2016-11-03
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Scientific Research Publishing
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays an important role in cognitive function, involved
in Executive Functions (EFs) such as planning, working memory, and inhibition. Activation
in the PFC also occurs during some motor activities. One commonly used
tool to assess EF is the Tower of Hanoi, demonstrating sensitivity to PFC dysfunction.
However, limited neuroimaging evidence is available to support the contribution
of the PFC in the Tower of Hanoi task. In the current study, we use functional
near infrared (fNIR) spectroscopy to examine hemodynamic responses associated
with neural activity in the PFC in adults as they participate in the Tower of Hanoi
task. We compared changes in cerebral oxygenation during resting, a motor task
(tapping), and the Tower of Hanoi in 16 neurotypical adults, with measures of relative
changes in concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (Δoxy-Hb) and deoxygenated
hemoglobin (Δdeoxy-Hb) taken throughout tasks, as well as total hemoglobin
(ΔHbT) and oxygenation (Δoxy). Performance on the Tower of Hanoi was measured
by the number of moves used to complete each level and the highest level of successful
performance (3, 4, or 5 disks). We found a significant higher value of Δoxy-Hb
and Δoxy in dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) during the Tower of Hanoi as compared to
tapping and resting. Significant changes in Δdeoxy-Hb and ΔHbT during the Tower
of Hanoi were found in the right DLPFC only. These results support the notion that
the Tower of Hanoi task requires higher levels of PFC activity than a similar motor
task with low executive function demands.
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tool to assess EF is the Tower of Hanoi, demonstrating sensitivity to PFC dysfunction. However, limited neuroimaging evidence is available to support the contribution of the PFC in the Tower of Hanoi task. In the current study, we use functional near infrared (fNIR) spectroscopy to examine hemodynamic responses associated with neural activity in the PFC in adults as they participate in the Tower of Hanoi task. We compared changes in cerebral oxygenation during resting, a motor task (tapping), and the Tower of Hanoi in 16 neurotypical adults, with measures of relative changes in concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (Δoxy-Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Δdeoxy-Hb) taken throughout tasks, as well as total hemoglobin (ΔHbT) and oxygenation (Δoxy). Performance on the Tower of Hanoi was measured by the number of moves used to complete each level and the highest level of successful performance (3, 4, or 5 disks). We found a significant higher value of Δoxy-Hb and Δoxy in dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) during the Tower of Hanoi as compared to tapping and resting. Significant changes in Δdeoxy-Hb and ΔHbT during the Tower of Hanoi were found in the right DLPFC only. These results support the notion that the Tower of Hanoi task requires higher levels of PFC activity than a similar motor task with low executive function demands. Keywords Prefrontal Cortex, Functional Near Infrared (fNIR), Cognitive Task, Tower of Hanoi How to cite this paper: