Cerebral cortical dynamics during visuomotor transformation: adaptation to a cognitive-motor executive challenge.
EEG was employed during cognitive-motor adaptation to a visuomotor transformation that required inhibition of an established motor plan. Performance was positively related to frontal alpha and theta power during both planning and execution of reaching movements to visual targets. EEG changes suggest initial involvement of frontal executive functioning to suppress established visuomotor mappings followed by progressive idling (i.e., alpha synchrony). Also, progressive idling of the temporal and parietal sites over the trials was observed, suggesting a decreasing role of working memory and encoding of the new visuomotor map, respectively. The regional changes in the cortical dynamics translated into the quality of motor behavior. This study expands our understanding of the role of frontal executive processes beyond the cognitive domain to the cognitive-motor domain.
Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA. rodolphe@umd.edu
Rodolphe J
RJ
Gentili
Trent J
TJ
Bradberry
Hyuk
H
Oh
Bradley D
BD
Hatfield
José L
JL
Contreras-Vidal
José L Contreras
JL
Vidal
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004569:Electroencephalography; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*