4 Jun 2021
Inferior parietal lobule involved in representation of “what” in a delayed-action Libet task
Intentional motor action is typically characterized by the decision about the timing, and the selection of the action variant, known as the “what” component. We compared free action selection with instructed action, where the movement type was externally cued, in order to investigate the action selection and action representation in a Libet’s task. Temporal and spatial locus of these processes was examined using the combination of high-density electroencephalography, topographic analysis of variance, and source reconstruction. Instructed action, engaging representation of the response movement, was associated with distinct negativity at the parietal and centro-parietal channels starting around 750 ms before the movement, which has a source particularly in the bilateral inferior parietal lobule.
Keywords: EEG; Intentional action; Action representation; Action selection; Prospective memory; Inferior parietal lobule; Libet task; Lateralized readiness potential; Delayed action