We studied the neural substrate of anticipation and learning of smooth purs
uit eye movements in humans using fMRI. Both predictable and non-predictabl
e eye movements, compared to baseline, activated a common network previousl
y associated with oculomotor function. The temporal dynamics of activity in
a subset of these areas suggested a strong correlation with type of condit
ion. Specifically, differential decreases in activity were seen in dorsolat
eral prefrontal cortex and the intraparietal sulcus during the predictable
condition. During the non-predictable condition the same areas exhibited ev
idence of high levels of activity that further increased throughout the con
dition. In contrast, differential increases associated:with the predictable
condition were seen in anterior cingulate and preSMA cortex regions. These
changes in activity mirror the time course of the short-term learning of e
ye movements seen behaviourally, and;are congruent with learning-related ch
anges that have been reported for other motor paradigms. NeuroReport 12:140
9-1414 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.