Sensorimotor adaptation in spatial orientation task: a fNIRS study

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 15160 - 11
• Main Authors: Yeo, Sang Seok, Jang, Tae Su, Yun, Seong Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 13-09-2023; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/378; 692/617; Accuracy; Adaptation; Cognition & reasoning; Hemodynamics; Humanities and Social Sciences; Infrared spectroscopy; Medical imaging; Medical research; multidisciplinary; Neuroimaging; Orientation behavior; Response time; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sensorimotor integration; Spectrum analysis; Visual perception
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42416-3

In sensorimotor conflicts, the brain forms and updates a new sensorimotor relationship through sensorimotor integration. As humans adapt to new sensorimotor mapping, goal-directed movements become increasingly precise. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, we investigated the changes in cortical activity during sensorimotor adaptation in a spatial orientation task with sensorimotor conflict. Individuals performed a reversed spatial orientation training in which the visual feedback guiding hand movements was reversed. We measured cortical activity and spatial orientation performance, including the response time, completion number, error, and accuracy. The results revealed the continuous activation in the left SMG during sensorimotor adaptation and decreased activation in the right SAC, AG and SMG after sensorimotor adaptation. These findings indicated the contribution of the left SMG to sensorimotor adaptation and the improved efficiency of cortical activity after sensorimotor adaptation, respectively. Our studies suggest the neural mechanisms related to sensorimotor adaptation to a reversed spatial orientation task.