Virtual hand actions show behavioural and neural signatures of right handedness
Abstract
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), I examined whether video games could evoke similar neural signatures as real actions (specifically, activation contralateral to the hand performing an action) and whether brain activation depended on causal control with closed-loop feedback. During Play runs, right-handed participants used their right or left hand on a gamepad to control a virtual right or left hand to move an object. During React runs, participants used the gamepad to follow actions without control of viewed actions. During Watch runs, participants passively viewed actions. Activation in was stronger in the hemisphere contralateral (vs. ipsilateral) to the virtual hand, particularly for the right hemisphere (left hand). Moreover, having control over actions (Play > React) increased sensorimotor activity, whereas, a lack of control (React > Play) increased association cortex activity. These results suggest video games hold potential for neuroimaging research, particularly under active control with closed-loop visual feedback.