Preference for locomotion-compatible curved paths and forward direction of self-motion in somatomotor and visual areas

During locomotion, leg movements define the direction of walking (forward or backward) and path one is taking (straight curved). These aspects locomotion produce characteristic visual motion patterns during movement. Here, we tested whether cortical regions responding to either egomotion-compatible motion, movements, both, are sensitive these locomotion-relevant motion. We compared a curved (typically feedback changing movement in environment) linear for simulated forward backward an event-related fMRI experiment. used individual surface-based approach two functional localizers (1) six egomotion-related areas (V6+, V3A, intraparietal area [IPSmot], cingulate sulcus [CSv], posterior [pCi], insular cortex [PIC]) using flow field stimulus (2) three leg-related (human PEc [hPEc], human PE [hPE] primary somatosensory [S–I]) somatomotor task. Then, extracted response from all with respect main experiment, consisting passive viewing optic stimulus, simulating self-motion path. Results showed that some have significant preference (hPEc, hPE, S–I, IPSmot) (V3A), while other both CSv, pCi). did not find any effects present stimuli PIC. Since controlling mainly means changes environment self-motion, such differential profile among suggests they play differentiated role guidance locomotion.