title: [Changes in cortical power distribution produced by memory consolidation as a function of a typewriting skill].
abstract: The present study aimed to investigate alterations in EEG patterns in normal, right-handed individuals, during the process of learning a specific motor skill (typewriting). Recent studies have shown that the cerebral cortex is susceptible to several changes during a learning process and that alterations in the brain's electrical patterns take place as a result of the acquisition of a motor skill and memory consolidation. In this context, subjects' brain electrical activity was analyzed before and after the motor task. EEG data were collected by a Braintech 3000 and analyzed by Neurometrics. For the statistical analysis, the behavioral variables "time" and "number of errors" were assessed by a one-way ANOVA. For the neurophysiological variable "Absolute Power", a paired t-Test was performed for each pair of electrodes CZ-C3/CZ-C4, in the theta and alpha frequency bands. The main results demonstrated a change in performance, through both behavioral variables ("time" and "number of errors"). At the same time, no changes were observed for the neurophysiological variable ("Absolute Power") in the theta band. On the other hand, a significant increase was observed in the alpha band in central areas (CZ-C3/CZ-C4). These results suggest an adaptation of the sensory-motor cortex, as a consequence of the typewriting training.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Mapeamento Cerebral e Integração Sensório-Motora, Instituto de Psiquiatria (IPUB), Brazil.
authors.forename: Marlo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Victor Hugo
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: Heloisa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Veiga
authors.forename: Maurício
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cagy
authors.forename: Kaleb
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: Vernon
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Furtado
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piedade
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D013826:Theta Rhythm