Task-related power and coherence changes in neuromagnetic activity during visuomotor coordination.

Full Abstract

We analyzed a set of full-head (66 channels, CTF Inc.) magnetoencephalography (MEG) data recorded when 5 subjects performed rhythmic right index-finger flexion and extension movements on the beat (synchronization) or off the beat (syncopation) with a visual metronome at 1 Hz. Neuromagnetic activities in the alpha (8-14 Hz), beta (15-30 Hz) and gamma (30-50 Hz) ranges were shown to correlate with different aspects of the task. Specifically, we found that, compared with the control condition in which subjects only looked at the visual metronome without making any movement, all the movement conditions were accompanied by a decrease of power in the alpha range (8-14 Hz) in sensorimotor channels of both hemispheres, and an increase of coherence among a subset of these channels. The same comparison showed that power changes in the beta range differentiate task conditions by exhibiting power increases for synchronization and power decreases for syncopation. Changes in the gamma range power were found to be related to the kinematics of movement trajectories (flexion versus extension). These results suggest that three important cortical oscillations play different functional roles in a visuomotor timing task.

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Author information

Author/s: Chen, Yanqing (Y); Ding, Mingzhou (M); Kelso, J A Scott (JA);

Affiliation: Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991, USA. chen(-atsign-)nsi.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Experimental brain research. Experimentelle Hirnforschung. Expérimentation cérébrale (Exp Brain Res), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jan; vol 148 (issue 1) : pp 105-16

Dates: Created 2002/12/12; Completed 2003/06/18; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 12478401, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Alpha Rhythm
Beta Rhythm
Cerebral Cortex - physiology
Female
Fingers - physiology
Humans
Magnetoencephalography

Male
Movement - physiology
Photic Stimulation
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Task Performance and Analysis
Vision, Ocular - physiology
Visual Perception - physiology

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