Torin Hopkins, PhD

Neuroscience & BCI

Hippocampal Connectivity: Laterality and Motor Learning

fMRI study investigating mechanisms of motor control and learning (data analyst).

DOI
Hippocampal Connectivity: Laterality and Motor Learning

Is the hippocampus involved in movement only when memory is at play? Using fMRI, this study examined hippocampal connectivity with sensorimotor cortex during paced finger movements with and without a memory component.

Method

fMRI activity was recorded from thirteen right-handed participants during sequence learning (with a memory component) and repetitive tapping (without one). Connectivity was identified from psychophysiological interactions with hippocampal activity.

Key findings

  • Hippocampal connectivity was observed during both tasks, even though motor learning occurred only in sequence learning.
  • Positive connectivity appeared in sensorimotor cortex on the same side as the moving hand, while negative connectivity was prominent in whichever hemisphere was most active.
  • The hippocampus is implicated in volitional finger movements even without motor learning or recall.

Publications

  1. Hippocampal Connectivity with Sensorimotor Cortex during Volitional Finger Movements: Laterality and Relationship to Motor Learning

    Douglas D. Burman and Torin Hopkins

    PLoS One, 14(9):e0222064, 2019. Data analyst

    DOI