Subcortical contributions to effective connectivity in brain networks supporting imitation

► FMRI study of cortico-cortical and cerebello-cortical connectivity in imitation. ► Participants imitated or passively viewed hand movements, or moved to spatial cues. ► PPI analysis was used to demonstrate task-specific connectivity for imitation. ► PPIs found between lobule VII of cerebellum and STS, SPL; and between STS and IPL. ► Findings suggest cerebellum may facilitate nonmotor aspects of imitative behavior.