An extended motor network generates beta and gamma oscillatory perturbations during development

Abstract

This study examines the time course and neural generators of oscillatory beta and gamma motor responses in typically-developing children. Participants completed a unilateral flexion-extension task using each index finger as whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) data were acquired. These MEG data were imaged in the frequency-domain using spatial filtering and the resulting event-related synchronizations and desynchronizations (ERS/ERD) were subjected to voxel-wise statistical analyses to illuminate time-frequency specific activation patterns. Consistent with adult data, these children exhibited a pre-movement ERD that was strongest over the contralateral postcentral gyrus, and a post-movement ERS response with the most prominent peak being in the contralateral precentral gyrus near premotor cortices. We also observed a high-frequency (~80 Hz) ERS response that coincided with movement onset and was centered on the contralateral precentral gyrus, slightly superior and posterior to the beta ERS. In addition to pre-and post-central gyri activations, these children exhibited beta and gamma activity in supplementary motor areas (SMA) before and during movement, and beta activation in cerebellar cortices before and after movement. We believe the gamma synchronization may be an excellent candidate signal of basic cortical motor control, as the spatiotemporal dynamics indicate the primary motor cortex generates this response (and not the beta oscillations) which is closely yoked to the initial muscle activation. Lastly, these data suggest several additional neural regions including the SMA and cerebellum are involved in basic movements during development.

Circadian modulation of motor-related beta oscillatory responses

“…Over the past decade, numerous magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) studies have examined movement-related oscillatory responses in healthy participants (Cheyne et al, 2008; Gaetz et al, 2010, 2011; Hall et al, 2011; Jurkiewicz et al, 2006; Muthukumaraswamy, 2010; Tzagarakis et al, 2010; Wilson et al, 2010, 2011). These electrophysiological methods have excellent spatiotemporal resolution, which has allowed neural activity serving individual movements to be decomposed into planning, execution, and termination stages, and these three stages of movement have been tentatively linked to three distinct oscillatory responses (Cheyne et al, 2008; Gaetz et al, 2010, 2011; Hall et al, 2011; Jurkiewicz et al, 2006; Muthukumaraswamy, 2010; Tzagarakis et al, 2010; Wilson et al 2010, 2011).…”

“…These electrophysiological methods have excellent spatiotemporal resolution, which has allowed neural activity serving individual movements to be decomposed into planning, execution, and termination stages, and these three stages of movement have been tentatively linked to three distinct oscillatory responses (Cheyne et al, 2008; Gaetz et al, 2010, 2011; Hall et al, 2011; Jurkiewicz et al, 2006; Muthukumaraswamy, 2010; Tzagarakis et al, 2010; Wilson et al 2010, 2011). Briefly, there is an event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the beta-frequency range (14–28 Hz) that peaks before movement onset and continues slightly after movement execution, which is termed the pre-movement beta ERD response.…”

“…Briefly, there is an event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the beta-frequency range (14–28 Hz) that peaks before movement onset and continues slightly after movement execution, which is termed the pre-movement beta ERD response. There is an event-related synchronization (ERS) in the gamma-frequency range that coincides with the onset of movement and is relatively brief (i.e., ~200 ms), and finally there is a post-movement beta ERS that reaches maximum amplitude slightly after the termination of movement (Cheyne et al, 2008; Gaetz et al, 2010, 2011; Hall et al, 2011; Heinrichs-Graham et al, in press; Jurkiewicz et al, 2006; Tzagarakis et al, 2010; Wilson et al, 2010, 2011). This latter response is generally termed the post-movement beta rebound (PMBR).…”

“…Other studies have shown that the amplitude of the PMBR increases as a function of age, with little-to-no synchronization occurring in younger children (Gaetz et al, 2011). Age also modulates the beta ERD, but this effect varies by motor region (Wilson et al, 2010). Finally, limb-dependent differences in the location and peak frequency of the response have been shown with the beta ERD and PMBR (Kurz et al, in press; Wilson et al, 2010).…”

“…Age also modulates the beta ERD, but this effect varies by motor region (Wilson et al, 2010). Finally, limb-dependent differences in the location and peak frequency of the response have been shown with the beta ERD and PMBR (Kurz et al, in press; Wilson et al, 2010). …”