We investigated the activation of the putamen and the external and internal division of the globus pallidus in 12 normal volunteers during rapid supination and pronation of their right or left hand, using functional MRI (fMRI). We observed an increase in signal intensity varying from 3.1 +/- 1.2% to 23.4 +/- 2.3% during activation. Activated areas were predominantly contralateral to the moving hand and smaller than 5 mm2. These findings indicate that fMRI allows study of the normal function of basal ganglia and may be of value in the investigation of basal ganglia disorders.