Changes in Inter-Cortical Correlation of Electroencephalograph in Motor Learning Process.

Abstract

Changes of inter-cortical correlation based on the electroencephalogram (EEG) during motor learning process were investigated. The subjects consisted of ten healthy volunteers aged 19 to 27 years (mean=20.4 ± 2.4 years). The task of motor learning was reciprocal tapping of the IV and V finger in the non-dominant hand with maximum effort. Practices were executed five days per week for four weeks. To provide an index of motor learning, the tapping frequency and EEG during ten seconds were measured once per week. The results showed significant increases of rate of tapping during four weeks in all subjects. As inter-cortical correlations, temporo-spatial synchronization between supplementary motor area (SMA) and motor cortex (MI) were gradually increased during the four weeks. It is suggested that an increase of inter-cortical correlation between SMA and MI may reflect the central mechanism of motor learning.

Involvement of beta absolute power in motor areas after hand immobilization: An EEG study

“…Cognitive impairment is generally followed by an increase in theta and delta power, whereas alpha and beta power usually decrease in such conditions. [8][9][10] The Beta band (14-30 Hz) 11 is associated to cortical activity involved in mental processes required for motor and somesthetic processes 12,13 and must be regarded as a remarkable feature of the primate nervous system, namely the somatomotor network. 14,15 Traditionally, this neural activity is related to motor functions and their preparation and execution.…”