A somato-cognitive action network alternates with effector regions in motor cortex

Abstract Motor cortex (M1) has been thought to form a continuous somatotopic homunculus extending down the precentral gyrus from foot to face representations 1,2 , despite evidence for concentric functional zones 3 and maps of complex actions 4 . Here, using precision functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods, we find that the classic homunculus is interrupted by regions with distinct connectivity, structure and function, alternating with effector-specific (foot, hand and mouth) areas. These inter-effector regions exhibit decreased cortical thickness and strong functional connectivity to each other, as well as to the cingulo-opercular network (CON), critical for action 5 and physiological control 6…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 2048066, BCS-2048066, CAREER
• DM
  Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
• NS
  National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association
• HC
  Hope Center for Neurological Disorders
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: MH100019, HD055741, MH115357, DA041148, NS124789, MH121518, DA048742, MH121276, MH096773, NS110332, MH122066, MH124567, NS088590
• IA
  Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center