The Experts below are selected from a list of 102 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Hiroshi Shibasaki - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space.

  • The Role of Rostral Brodmann Area 6 in Mental-Operation Tasks: an Integrative Neuroimaging Approach
    Cerebral cortex (New York N.Y. : 1991), 2002
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Nobukatsu Sawamoto, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Yoshiharu Yonekura, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Recent evidence indicates that classical 'motor' areas may also have cognitive functions. We performed three neuroimaging experiments to investigate the functional neuroanatomy underlying three types of nonmotor Mental-Operation tasks: numerical, verbal, and spatial. (i) Positron emission tomography showed that parts of the posterior frontal cortex, which are consistent with the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and the rostral part of the dorsolateral premotor cortex (PMdr), were active during all three tasks. We also observed activity in the posterior parietal cortex and cerebellar hemispheres during all three tasks. Electrophysiological monitoring confirmed that there were no skeletomotor, oculomotor or articulatory movements during task performance. (ii) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed that PMdr activity during the Mental-Operation tasks was localized in the depths of the superior precentral sulcus, which substantially overlapped the region active during complex finger movements and was located dorsomedial to the presumptive frontal eye fields. (iii) Single-trial fMRI showed a transient increase in activity time-locked to the performance of Mental Operations in the pre-SMA and PMdr. The results of the present study suggest that the PMdr is important in the rule-based association of symbolic cues and responses in both motor and nonmotor behaviors.

Takashi Hanakawa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Differential effect of double-pulse TMS applied to dorsal premotor cortex and precuneus during internal Operation of visuospatial information.
    NeuroImage, 2009
    Co-Authors: Ritz Oshio, Takashi Hanakawa, Satoshi Tanaka, Norihiro Sadato, Masahiro Sokabe, Manabu Honda
    Abstract:

    Abstract Human neuro-imaging studies have often reported co-activation of the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) and the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) during internal Operation of visuospatial information, referred to here as “visuospatial Mental Operation”. However, the functions assigned to the PMd and PPC during these tasks are still unclear. Here, we examined the significance of these two areas for a visuospatial Mental Operation using the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technique. Subjects performed a task in which a visuospatial Mental Operation was required. A localization study conducted prior to the TMS experiment using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed that the PMd and the medial part of the PPC, precuneus (PCu), were specifically activated during the visuospatial Mental Operation. Then, we impeded the activities of the PMd and the PCu in the right hemisphere during the same task using double-pulse TMS to determine whether these activities were necessary for the task. The TMS was applied at different times in relation to the visuospatial Mental Operation cue. Consequently, only the TMS applied at 300 ms after the cue affected the task performance. Furthermore, we found that the TMS at this time to each area differentially affected the performance: TMS to the PMd hindered the performance of the task whereas TMS to the PCu facilitated it without a speed/accuracy trade-off. These effects were not found in the control condition that lacked a visuospatial Mental Operation. These findings suggest that the PMd and the PCu are involved in differential aspects of visuospatial Mental Operations.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space.

  • The Role of Rostral Brodmann Area 6 in Mental-Operation Tasks: an Integrative Neuroimaging Approach
    Cerebral cortex (New York N.Y. : 1991), 2002
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Nobukatsu Sawamoto, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Yoshiharu Yonekura, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Recent evidence indicates that classical 'motor' areas may also have cognitive functions. We performed three neuroimaging experiments to investigate the functional neuroanatomy underlying three types of nonmotor Mental-Operation tasks: numerical, verbal, and spatial. (i) Positron emission tomography showed that parts of the posterior frontal cortex, which are consistent with the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and the rostral part of the dorsolateral premotor cortex (PMdr), were active during all three tasks. We also observed activity in the posterior parietal cortex and cerebellar hemispheres during all three tasks. Electrophysiological monitoring confirmed that there were no skeletomotor, oculomotor or articulatory movements during task performance. (ii) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed that PMdr activity during the Mental-Operation tasks was localized in the depths of the superior precentral sulcus, which substantially overlapped the region active during complex finger movements and was located dorsomedial to the presumptive frontal eye fields. (iii) Single-trial fMRI showed a transient increase in activity time-locked to the performance of Mental Operations in the pre-SMA and PMdr. The results of the present study suggest that the PMdr is important in the rule-based association of symbolic cues and responses in both motor and nonmotor behaviors.

Manabu Honda - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Differential effect of double-pulse TMS applied to dorsal premotor cortex and precuneus during internal Operation of visuospatial information.
    NeuroImage, 2009
    Co-Authors: Ritz Oshio, Takashi Hanakawa, Satoshi Tanaka, Norihiro Sadato, Masahiro Sokabe, Manabu Honda
    Abstract:

    Abstract Human neuro-imaging studies have often reported co-activation of the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) and the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) during internal Operation of visuospatial information, referred to here as “visuospatial Mental Operation”. However, the functions assigned to the PMd and PPC during these tasks are still unclear. Here, we examined the significance of these two areas for a visuospatial Mental Operation using the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technique. Subjects performed a task in which a visuospatial Mental Operation was required. A localization study conducted prior to the TMS experiment using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed that the PMd and the medial part of the PPC, precuneus (PCu), were specifically activated during the visuospatial Mental Operation. Then, we impeded the activities of the PMd and the PCu in the right hemisphere during the same task using double-pulse TMS to determine whether these activities were necessary for the task. The TMS was applied at different times in relation to the visuospatial Mental Operation cue. Consequently, only the TMS applied at 300 ms after the cue affected the task performance. Furthermore, we found that the TMS at this time to each area differentially affected the performance: TMS to the PMd hindered the performance of the task whereas TMS to the PCu facilitated it without a speed/accuracy trade-off. These effects were not found in the control condition that lacked a visuospatial Mental Operation. These findings suggest that the PMd and the PCu are involved in differential aspects of visuospatial Mental Operations.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space.

  • The Role of Rostral Brodmann Area 6 in Mental-Operation Tasks: an Integrative Neuroimaging Approach
    Cerebral cortex (New York N.Y. : 1991), 2002
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Nobukatsu Sawamoto, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Yoshiharu Yonekura, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Recent evidence indicates that classical 'motor' areas may also have cognitive functions. We performed three neuroimaging experiments to investigate the functional neuroanatomy underlying three types of nonmotor Mental-Operation tasks: numerical, verbal, and spatial. (i) Positron emission tomography showed that parts of the posterior frontal cortex, which are consistent with the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and the rostral part of the dorsolateral premotor cortex (PMdr), were active during all three tasks. We also observed activity in the posterior parietal cortex and cerebellar hemispheres during all three tasks. Electrophysiological monitoring confirmed that there were no skeletomotor, oculomotor or articulatory movements during task performance. (ii) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed that PMdr activity during the Mental-Operation tasks was localized in the depths of the superior precentral sulcus, which substantially overlapped the region active during complex finger movements and was located dorsomedial to the presumptive frontal eye fields. (iii) Single-trial fMRI showed a transient increase in activity time-locked to the performance of Mental Operations in the pre-SMA and PMdr. The results of the present study suggest that the PMdr is important in the rule-based association of symbolic cues and responses in both motor and nonmotor behaviors.

Tomohisa Okada - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space.

  • The Role of Rostral Brodmann Area 6 in Mental-Operation Tasks: an Integrative Neuroimaging Approach
    Cerebral cortex (New York N.Y. : 1991), 2002
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Nobukatsu Sawamoto, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Yoshiharu Yonekura, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Recent evidence indicates that classical 'motor' areas may also have cognitive functions. We performed three neuroimaging experiments to investigate the functional neuroanatomy underlying three types of nonmotor Mental-Operation tasks: numerical, verbal, and spatial. (i) Positron emission tomography showed that parts of the posterior frontal cortex, which are consistent with the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and the rostral part of the dorsolateral premotor cortex (PMdr), were active during all three tasks. We also observed activity in the posterior parietal cortex and cerebellar hemispheres during all three tasks. Electrophysiological monitoring confirmed that there were no skeletomotor, oculomotor or articulatory movements during task performance. (ii) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed that PMdr activity during the Mental-Operation tasks was localized in the depths of the superior precentral sulcus, which substantially overlapped the region active during complex finger movements and was located dorsomedial to the presumptive frontal eye fields. (iii) Single-trial fMRI showed a transient increase in activity time-locked to the performance of Mental Operations in the pre-SMA and PMdr. The results of the present study suggest that the PMdr is important in the rule-based association of symbolic cues and responses in both motor and nonmotor behaviors.

Hidenao Fukuyama - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

  • Neural correlates underlying Mental calculation in abacus experts: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
    NeuroImage, 2003
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Experts of abacus Operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in Mental calculation. There is psychological evidence that abacus experts utilize a Mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems; however, the neural correlates underlying this expertise are unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the neural correlates associated with three Mental-Operation tasks (numeral, spatial, verbal) among six experts in abacus Operations and eight nonexperts. In general, there was more involvement of neural correlates for visuospatial processing (e.g., right premotor and parietal areas) for abacus experts during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Activity of these areas and the fusiform cortex was correlated with the size of numerals used in the numeral Mental-Operation task. Particularly, the posterior superior parietal cortex revealed significantly enhanced activity for experts compared with controls during the numeral Mental-Operation task. Comparison with the other Mental-Operation tasks indicated that activity in the posterior superior parietal cortex was relatively specific to computation in 2-dimensional space. In conclusion, Mental calculation of abacus experts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensional space.

  • The Role of Rostral Brodmann Area 6 in Mental-Operation Tasks: an Integrative Neuroimaging Approach
    Cerebral cortex (New York N.Y. : 1991), 2002
    Co-Authors: Takashi Hanakawa, Nobukatsu Sawamoto, Manabu Honda, Tomohisa Okada, Yoshiharu Yonekura, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hiroshi Shibasaki
    Abstract:

    Recent evidence indicates that classical 'motor' areas may also have cognitive functions. We performed three neuroimaging experiments to investigate the functional neuroanatomy underlying three types of nonmotor Mental-Operation tasks: numerical, verbal, and spatial. (i) Positron emission tomography showed that parts of the posterior frontal cortex, which are consistent with the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and the rostral part of the dorsolateral premotor cortex (PMdr), were active during all three tasks. We also observed activity in the posterior parietal cortex and cerebellar hemispheres during all three tasks. Electrophysiological monitoring confirmed that there were no skeletomotor, oculomotor or articulatory movements during task performance. (ii) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed that PMdr activity during the Mental-Operation tasks was localized in the depths of the superior precentral sulcus, which substantially overlapped the region active during complex finger movements and was located dorsomedial to the presumptive frontal eye fields. (iii) Single-trial fMRI showed a transient increase in activity time-locked to the performance of Mental Operations in the pre-SMA and PMdr. The results of the present study suggest that the PMdr is important in the rule-based association of symbolic cues and responses in both motor and nonmotor behaviors.