Spontaneous brain activity forms correlated networks resembling task-evoked activation patterns, yet its functional relevance remains debated. The representational hypothesis suggests that resting-state networks (RSNs) encode frequent behaviors, but whether these representations are motor-based or cognitive is unclear. Here, we used fMRI to examine RSNs activity during the observation of reach-to-grasp movements with either regular (common) or perturbed (uncommon) kinematics. We found that the dorsal attention network (DAN) exhibited greater similarity between rest and task patterns for common movements, whereas sensory networks showed no significant effects. While DAN is classically associated with attention mechanisms, these results suggest that it may also contribute to tracking the location or motion of the hand. Furthermore, uncommon movements elicited stronger activation in parietal and premotor areas, likely reflecting adaptive updating of internal models. Our findings support the role of spontaneous brain activity in maintaining cognitive representations of frequent behaviors, optimizing motor planning and perception.

How spontaneous brain activity encodes the observation of grasping movements

El Rassi Yara;Handjaras Giacomo;Ricciardi Emiliano;
2025

Abstract

Spontaneous brain activity forms correlated networks resembling task-evoked activation patterns, yet its functional relevance remains debated. The representational hypothesis suggests that resting-state networks (RSNs) encode frequent behaviors, but whether these representations are motor-based or cognitive is unclear. Here, we used fMRI to examine RSNs activity during the observation of reach-to-grasp movements with either regular (common) or perturbed (uncommon) kinematics. We found that the dorsal attention network (DAN) exhibited greater similarity between rest and task patterns for common movements, whereas sensory networks showed no significant effects. While DAN is classically associated with attention mechanisms, these results suggest that it may also contribute to tracking the location or motion of the hand. Furthermore, uncommon movements elicited stronger activation in parietal and premotor areas, likely reflecting adaptive updating of internal models. Our findings support the role of spontaneous brain activity in maintaining cognitive representations of frequent behaviors, optimizing motor planning and perception.
2025
Hand movement representation
Resting-state fMRI
Spontaneous activity
Task fMRI
Upper limb movements
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
1-s2.0-S1053811925003994-main_perciballi.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: How spontaneous brain activity encodes the observation of grasping movements
Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 5.9 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
5.9 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11771/35698
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
social impact