Both sides of human cerebellum involved in preparation and execution of sequential movements

Using an event-related fMRI procedure, we investigated the role of the huma n cerebellum in sequential finger movements. Subjects performed a delayed s equential finger movement task in which an instructive cue preceded the imp erative signal by 16.5 s. Bilateral activation was observed in the cerebell um following both the cue and imperative signals. The activated regions ove rlapped within the cerebellum, extending across intermediate and lateral re gions corresponding to lobules HV-HVII. In contrast, activation in primary motor cortex was primarily restricted to the execution phase and most promi nent in the contralateral hemisphere. These results indicate that the cereb ellum is bilaterally recruited for the preparation and execution of sequent ial movements. NeuroReport 11:3849-3853 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilk ins.