Sensitivity of alpha and beta oscillations to sensorimotor characteristics of action: An EEG study of action production and gesture observation

Abstract

The sensorimotor experiences we gain when performing an action have been found to influence how our own motor systems are activated when we observe others performing that same action. Here we asked whether this phenomenon applies to the observation of gesture. Would the sensorimotor experiences we gain when performing an action on an object influence activation in our own motor systems when we observe others performing a gesture for that object? Participants were given sensorimotor experience with objects that varied in weight, and then observed video clips of an actor producing gestures for those objects. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded while participants first observed either an iconic gesture (pantomiming lifting an object) or a deictic gesture (pointing to an object) for an object, and then grasped and lifted the object indicated by the gesture. We analyzed EEG during gesture observation to determine whether oscillatory activity was affected by the observer’s sensorimotor experiences with the object represented in the gesture. Seeing a gesture for an object previously experienced as light was associated with a suppression of power in alpha and beta frequency bands, particularly at posterior electrodes. A similar pattern was found when participants lifted the light object, but over more diffuse electrodes. Moreover, alpha and beta bands at right parieto-occipital electrodes were sensitive to the type of gesture observed (iconic vs. deictic). These results demonstrate that sensorimotor experience with an object affects how a gesture for that object is processed, as measured by the gesture-observer’s EEG, and suggest that different types of gestures recruit the observer’s own motor system in different ways.

EEG imaging of toddlers during dyadic turn-taking: Mu-rhythm modulation while producing or observing social actions

“…The results also showed a small beta peak, a distinct feature of adult somatomotor mu activity that has not been investigated in toddlers (but see van Elk et al, 2008). Previous studies suggest that betamodulation might be more related to action production (e.g., probability gating, or sensorimotor dynamics) than to observation of others' actions (Jenkinson and Brown, 2011;Quandt et al, 2012). Our finding that left somatomotor beta suppression was greater in execution than observation epochs is consistent with this hypothesis; however, results from the right cluster were equivocal.…”

Neural mirroring mechanisms and imitation in human infants

“…While much of the relevant literature on the mu rhythm in adults has focused on the alpha (8-13 Hz) range, some studies have also included a consideration of oscillations in the beta (15-30 Hz) range [95][96][97]. This consideration follows in part from qualitative observations of the distinct appearance of mu as an arch-shaped or 'wicket' rhythm [98], which hinted that it might be composed of two different cortical rhythms.…”

Acompañando e intensificando la información entrante en el explorar generativo

“…Muchos autores y científicos están llamando la atención sobre ello, por ejemplo respecto de la comunicación a distancia en biología y en humanos 554 , de la conciencia y su enlace con lo cuántico y lo energético 555 , respecto de las emociones, de cómo manejarlas y de sus pericias mentales 556 , de la energía y de su ligazón con lo emocional, mental y orgánico 557 , respecto de los fenómenos aparentemente físicos 558 , de la (Bonilla 2008;Ho 1997;Libet 1996;McFadden 2013;Mensky 2011;Penrose 2012; Pockett 2012; Pockett 2013;Raichle et al 2007;Stagnaro 2011;Sun et al 2010; 556 Holczberger et al 2012;Jatupaiboon et al 2013;LeDoux 2007;Schueller et al 2014;Shuck et al 2007) 557 Fox 2014;Funk 2013;Gerardi et al 2008;Hagelin 2007;Kobayashi et al 2009; Kodikara 2011;Maffei 2014; Martin 2011;Patil et al 2012;Quandt et al 2012;Rahnama et al 2011;Robinson et al 2003;Rubik 2002;Sakai 2013;Seo 2012;Shanmuga et al 2011;Tart 1972;Thomas 1998 e incluso llegando al recinto legislativo energético 567 . Todas estas nuevas aproximaciones, desde hace unas décadas en especial, hablan de un enfoque al conocimiento con el mismo rigor científico que se ha intentado alcanzar por el procedimiento positivista, pero ampliando el rango de afecciones, de efectos o/y de posibilidades.…”

“…Las leyes sensibles actuales limitan la intensidad a 4-6 Voltios (BOCG 2011: 558) 1309 (Delgado et al 1982: 538, 546, 548-9) 1310 (Basşar et al 2013: 19, 23, 28-9, 30-1; Fingelkurts et al 2014: 3, 6, 9; Hinterberger 2010: 6; Jorge et al 2007: 378; Jatupaiboon et al 2013: 1-2; Kolev et al 2001: 160-1, 163; Lee 2008: 144; Leuchter et al 2013: 2-5; Luna et al. 2011: 8-11, 14;Quandt et al 2012 Quandt et al : 2746 Rein 1996: 4, 6; Ross 2010: 01:15-01:19; Sunkari et al 2011: 81; 176 ha llamado aquí campos de promoción. En esta línea de adecuación del lugar de generación decir, de manera global, que habría que mantenerlo limpio energéticamente, lo más posible, para liberar al cuerpo del "ruido" electromagnético.…”

“…También con "la memoria de trabajo (encargada del almacenamiento temporal de información (memoria a corto plazo) y de (Basşar et al 2013: 23-5, 32, 37, 47; Bischof 2008: 443; Chatel-Goldman et al 2013: 4-5; Fingelkurts et al 2006: 133-4, 139-41; Fingelkurts et al 2014: 1-2, 14-6; Holczberger et al 2012: 249; Isler et al 2008: 163; Jorge et al. 2007: 378-9; Kaul et al 2010: 1, 6; Kolev et al 2001: 160, 164; Konvalinka et al 2014: 79; Leuchter et al 2013: 2-3;Quandt et al 2012 Quandt et al : 2746 1372 (Fingelkurts et al 2014: 1) 1373 Estados oscilatorios asociados con funciones que son invariantes y necesarias para cualquier condición (adquisición de metas biológicas importantes como mantenimiento físico, supervivencia, dominación, apareamiento, regulación emocional y la organización de las interacciones concientes con el entrono) y por tanto, deben ser determinadas genéticamente. 1374 (Fingelkurts et al 2014: 14) 1375 (Fingelkurts et al 2014: 14) 1376 Definición en detalle en: "Tomo de Promoción".…”