Event-related brain potentials isolate the motor component in a tapping task.
Repetitive tapping is used to investigate temporal perception, memory, and reproduction. Intertap intervals and their variability, arise from cognitive and motor processes during the task. We used a measure of readiness potential onset to determine motor component latency during the timed interval. Subjects performed a paced, two-handed tapping task at four target intervals (1.5-2.75 s). Overall latency of production increased with increasing ISI, as did variability across target interval, conforming to a generalized Weber's law. In contrast, average motor latency was roughly 0.5 s across ISI. This constant motor latency may also indicate constant variability attributable to motor processing.
Dale
C L
CL
Research Service/VA Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Dr. SE (151), Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA.
Gratton
G
G
Gibbon
J
J
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D013998:Time Perception / Q000502:physiology*