Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Oscillatory activity in the beta (beta)-frequency band (13-35 Hz) can be recorded over the sensorimotor cortex in humans. It is coherent with electromyographic activity (EMG) during tonic contraction, but whether the cortical beta-oscillations are primarily motor or sensorimotor in function remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that cortical beta-activity is associated with an up-regulation of sensory inputs that may be relevant to the organization of the motor response. We recorded cortical somatosensory potentials (SEPs) elicited by electrical stimuli to the median nerve at the wrist triggered by increases of electroencephalographic (EEG) beta-activity in the contralateral fronto-central EEG and compared these to SEPs presented at random intervals. The involvement of motor cortex in the triggering EEG activity was confirmed by a simultaneous elevation of cortico-spinal synchrony in the beta-band. The negative cortical evoked potential peaking at 20 ms and the positive evoked potential peaking at 30 ms after median nerve shocks were increased in size when elicited after phasic increases in beta-activity. The functional coupling of sensory and motor cortices in the beta-band was confirmed in recordings of electrocorticographic activity in two patients with chronic pain syndromes, suggesting a means by which beta-activity may simultaneously influence cortical sensory processing, motor output and promote sensory-motor interaction.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s00221-006-0655-8

Type

Journal article

Journal

Exp Brain Res

Publication Date

02/2007

Volume

177

Pages

137 - 145

Keywords

Adult, Beta Rhythm, Cerebral Cortex, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Electric Stimulation, Electroencephalography, Electromyography, Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory, Female, Functional Laterality, Humans, Male, Median Nerve, Middle Aged, Motor Cortex, Sensation, Somatosensory Cortex