Central command-related increases in blood velocity of anterior cerebral artery and prefrontal oxygenation at the onset of voluntary tapping

Anterior cerebral artery blood velocity and vascular conductance index along with prefrontal oxygenated-hemoglobin concentration all increased at the onset of finger tapping, peaking immediately after tapping onset, as long as tapping was arbitrarily started. Positive cross correlation and linear regression between the increases in ACABV and prefrontal Oxy-Hb were significant in 67%–75% of subjects. Active vasodilatation of the ACA vascular bed occurs with arbitrary tapping onset and contributes to increased ACABV and prefrontal oxygenation.