Delayed feedback of somato-motor cortex activations modulates finger tapping results in real-time functional MR Imaging

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a slightly delayed feedback projection of real-time fMRI motor activations into the scanner on the performance of the subsequent tasks during the same session and/or on the performance during a second session one week later. All subjects were informed about the aim of the study: to modulate their cortical activation in accordance to the demand of the task. The paradigm consisted out of three 112.5-second-runs of self-paced finger tapping of the right hand with increasing demand (low, medium and high) for the modalities: strength, complexity and velocity. A…