Brain Representation of Active and Passive Hand Movements in Healthy Aged People

Objective:To reveal the neural network of active and passive hand movements. Method:Seven healthy aged people were checked, and acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging data on a 1.5T scanner. Active movement consisted of repetitive grasping and loosening of hand; passive movement involved the same movement performed by examiner. Both types of hand movements were assessed separately. These data were analysed by Statistical Parametric Mapping Microsoft. Result:The main activated brain areas were the contralateral supplemental motor area, primary motor area, primary sensory area and the ipsilateral cerebellum when subjects gripped right hands actively and passively. The supplemental area was less active in passive hand movement than active hand movement. The activated brain areas were mainly within Brodmann area 4 during active hand movement; in the contrast, the voxels triggered by passive movement were mainly within Brodmann areas 3,1,2 areas. Conclusion:The results suggest that the neural networks of passive and active tasks spared some common areas, and the passive movement could be as effective as active movement to facilitate the recovery of limbs motor function in patients with brain damage.