Aim: To apply functional brain imaging techniques to explore central motor control of handwriting movements Methods: In a first experiment we measured normalized regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with positron emission tomography (PET) in healthy individuals to map brain regions that are activated with handwriting. We were particularly interested to localize the components of the motor system that are associated with open-loop and closed-loop writing. In a second experiment we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3 T to examine which brain regions are altered in function during handwriting in patients with writer´s cramp a focal dystonia affecting handwriting. Results: In healthy subjects, rCBF-PET measurements identified premotor and parietal regions involved in closed-loop handwriting. In particular, the supramarginal gyrus was active when a manipulation of the visual feedback during handwriting required online up-dating of handwriting movements. The fMRI experiment revealed no cortical abnormalities during a simple handwriting task as compared to scribbling in writer´scramp, but abnormal activation of the subthalamic region. Conclusion: Neuroimaging of handwriting can provide valuable insights into the regional specialization within the normal motor system involved in the control of handwriting and into the pathophysiology of movement disorders affecting handwriting such as writer´s cramp.