The motor cortex drives the muscles during walking in human subjects

TY - JOUR

T1 - The motor cortex drives the muscles during walking in human subjects

AU - Petersen, Tue Hvass

AU - Willerslev-Olsen, Maria

AU - Conway, B A

AU - Nielsen, Jens Bo

N1 - CURIS 2012 5200 078

PY - 2012/5

Y1 - 2012/5

N2 - Indirect evidence that the motor cortex and the corticospinal tract contribute to the control of walking in human subjects has been provided in previous studies. In the present study we used coherence analysis of the coupling between EEG and EMG from active leg muscles during human walking to address if activity arising in the motor cortex contributes to the muscle activity during gait. Nine healthy human subjects walked on a treadmill at a speed of 3.5–4 km h(-1). Seven of the subjects in addition walked at a speed of 1 km h(-1). Significant coupling between EEG recordings over the leg motor area and EMG from the anterior tibial muscle was found in the frequency band 24–40 Hz prior to heel strike during the swing phase of walking. This signifies that rhythmic cortical activity in the 24–40 Hz frequency band is transmitted via the corticospinal tract to the active muscles during walking. These findings demonstrate that the motor cortex and corticospinal tract contribute directly to the muscle activity observed in steady-state treadmill walking.

AB - Indirect evidence that the motor cortex and the corticospinal tract contribute to the control of walking in human subjects has been provided in previous studies. In the present study we used coherence analysis of the coupling between EEG and EMG from active leg muscles during human walking to address if activity arising in the motor cortex contributes to the muscle activity during gait. Nine healthy human subjects walked on a treadmill at a speed of 3.5–4 km h(-1). Seven of the subjects in addition walked at a speed of 1 km h(-1). Significant coupling between EEG recordings over the leg motor area and EMG from the anterior tibial muscle was found in the frequency band 24–40 Hz prior to heel strike during the swing phase of walking. This signifies that rhythmic cortical activity in the 24–40 Hz frequency band is transmitted via the corticospinal tract to the active muscles during walking. These findings demonstrate that the motor cortex and corticospinal tract contribute directly to the muscle activity observed in steady-state treadmill walking.

U2 - 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.227397

DO - 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.227397

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22393252

SN - 0022-3751

VL - 590

SP - 2443

EP - 2452

JO - The Journal of Physiology

JF - The Journal of Physiology

IS - 10

ER -