Implicit motor learning tasks typically involve comparisons of subject resp
onses during a sequence versus a random condition. In neuroimaging, brain r
egions that are correlated with a sequence are described, but the temporal
relationship of sequence versus nonsequence conditions is often not explore
d. We present a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study describi
ng activation related to sequential predictability in an implicit sensorimo
tor learning task and the history (context) dependence of these effects. Pa
rticipants regarded four squares displayed horizontally across a screen and
pressed a button when any one of the four targets was illuminated in a par
ticular color. A repeating spatial sequence with varying levels of predicta
bility was embedded within a random color presentation. Both the right dors
olateral prefrontal cortex (R DLPFC) and right caudate displayed a positive
correlation to increasing predictability, whereas the left posterior parie
tal cortex (L PPC) displayed a negative correlation. However, the activatio
n changes within the caudate were significant when transitioning from high
predictability to low predictability but not for the reverse case, suggesti
ng a sensitivity not only to predictability but to order effects as well. T
hese results support the hypothesized relationship between basal ganglia an
d visuomotor sequential learning, but demonstrate the importance of context
upon sequence learning.