Task-specific modulation of effective connectivity during two simple unimanual motor tasks: A 122-channel EEG study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Task-specific modulation of effective connectivity during two simple unimanual motor tasks

T2 - A 122-channel EEG study

AU - Herz, Damian M

AU - Christensen, Mark Schram

AU - Reck, Christiane

AU - Florin, Esther

AU - Barbe, Michael T

AU - Stahlhut, Carsten

AU - Pauls, K Amande M

AU - Tittgemeyer, Marc

AU - Siebner, Hartwig R

AU - Timmermann, Lars

N1 - CURIS 2012 5200 116

PY - 2012/2/15

Y1 - 2012/2/15

N2 - Neural oscillations are thought to underlie coupling of spatially remote neurons and gating of information within the human sensorimotor system. Here we tested the hypothesis that different unimanual motor tasks are specifically associated with distinct patterns of oscillatory coupling in human sensorimotor cortical areas. In 13 healthy, right-handed subjects, we recorded task-induced neural activity with 122-channel electroencephalography (EEG) while subjects performed fast self-paced extension-flexion movements with the right index finger and an isometric contraction of the right forearm. Task-related modulations of inter-regional coupling within a core motor network comprising the left primary motor cortex (M1), lateral premotor cortex (lPM) and supplementary motor area (SMA) were then modeled using dynamic causal modeling (DCM). A network model postulating coupling both within and across frequencies best captured observed spectral responses according to Bayesian model selection. DCM revealed dominant coupling within the β-band (13-30. Hz) between M1 and SMA during isometric contraction of the forearm, whereas fast repetitive finger movements were characterized by strong coupling within the γ-band (31-48. Hz) and between the θ- (4-7. Hz) and the γ-band. This coupling pattern was mainly expressed in connections from lPM to SMA and from lPM to M1. We infer that human manual motor control involves task-specific modulation of inter-regional oscillatory coupling both within and across distinct frequency bands. The results highlight the potential of DCM to characterize context-specific changes in coupling within functional brain networks.

AB - Neural oscillations are thought to underlie coupling of spatially remote neurons and gating of information within the human sensorimotor system. Here we tested the hypothesis that different unimanual motor tasks are specifically associated with distinct patterns of oscillatory coupling in human sensorimotor cortical areas. In 13 healthy, right-handed subjects, we recorded task-induced neural activity with 122-channel electroencephalography (EEG) while subjects performed fast self-paced extension-flexion movements with the right index finger and an isometric contraction of the right forearm. Task-related modulations of inter-regional coupling within a core motor network comprising the left primary motor cortex (M1), lateral premotor cortex (lPM) and supplementary motor area (SMA) were then modeled using dynamic causal modeling (DCM). A network model postulating coupling both within and across frequencies best captured observed spectral responses according to Bayesian model selection. DCM revealed dominant coupling within the β-band (13-30. Hz) between M1 and SMA during isometric contraction of the forearm, whereas fast repetitive finger movements were characterized by strong coupling within the γ-band (31-48. Hz) and between the θ- (4-7. Hz) and the γ-band. This coupling pattern was mainly expressed in connections from lPM to SMA and from lPM to M1. We infer that human manual motor control involves task-specific modulation of inter-regional oscillatory coupling both within and across distinct frequency bands. The results highlight the potential of DCM to characterize context-specific changes in coupling within functional brain networks.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Electroencephalography

KW - Female

KW - Fingers

KW - Humans

KW - Isometric Contraction

KW - Male

KW - Motor Cortex

KW - Nervous System Physiological Processes

KW - Task Performance and Analysis

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.11.042

DO - 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.11.042

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22146753

SN - 1053-8119

VL - 59

SP - 3187

EP - 3193

JO - NeuroImage

JF - NeuroImage

IS - 4

ER -