Scientific publications

Beta electroencephalograph changes during passive movements: sensory afferences contribute to beta event-related desynchronization in humans. Scientific Publication

Oct 1, 2002 | Magazine: Neuroscience Letters

Alegre M., Labarga A., Gurtubay I.G., Iriarte J., Malanda A., Artieda J.


Non-phase-locked beta oscillatory changes during passive movements were studied in six healthy volunteers, and compared with those observed in a similar group during ballistic movements. Passive movements consisted of brisk wrist extensions done with the help of a pulley system.

Changes in the beta band were determined by means of wavelet and Gabor transforms, and compared statistically with a pre-movement period. In this paradigm, a marked beta energy loss (event-related desynchronization, ERD) was present after the beginning of the movement, followed by a beta energy increase (event-related synchronization, ERS). The ERD/ERS was similar to that observed during ballistic movements, but without pre-movement components.

Although both changes were maximal in the contralateral central electrode, the beta ERD showed a more bilateral topography. These findings suggest that afferent proprioceptive inputs may play a role in the final part of the beta ERD observed during voluntary movements.

CITATION  Neurosci Lett. 2002 Oct 4;331(1):29-32. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(02)00825-x. 

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