Brain Imaging

The cerebellum is involved in predicting the sensory consequences of action

Blakemore, Sarah-J.,2 CA; Frith, Chris D.; Wolpert, Daniel M.1

Author Information

Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology and 1Sobell Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK 2Present Address: INSERM Unit 280, Mental Processes and Brain Activation, 151 Cours Albert-Thomas, 69424 Lyon Cedex 3, France

CACorresponding Author

Received 21 March 2001; accepted 11 April 2001

Neuroreport 12(9):p 1879-1884, July 3, 2001.

Abstract

We used H215O PET to examine neural responses to parametrically varied degrees of discrepancy between the predicted and actual sensory consequences of movement. Subjects used their right hand to move a robotic arm. The motion of this robotic arm determined the position of a second foam-tipped robotic arm, which made contact with the subject's left palm. Using this robotic interface, computer controlled delays were introduced between the movement of the right hand and the tactile stimulation on the left. Activity in the right lateral cerebellar cortex showed a positive correlation with delay. These results suggest the cerebellum is involved in signalling the sensory discrepancy between the predicted and actual sensory consequences of movements.

© 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

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